NEW YORK (AP) JaKarr Sampson had an explanation for and a solution to the problem of St. John's poor starts which have had the Red Storm trailing by double figures.

"It's just a bad habit we have. We don't come out with enough energy, enough fight," the sophomore forward said Saturday. "We have to come out like we're down already."

The Red Storm were down big very early against Georgia Tech, trailing 19-4 just over 12 minutes in. But, just like against Penn State the night before, they rallied to get even and this time, pulled away for a 69-58 victory over the Yellow Jackets in the third-place game of the Barclays Center Classic.