St. John’s Freshman Cook Burns Kentucky

Omar Cook didn’t take long to make his mark on St. John’s basketball.

The freshman point guard lived up to the hype Thursday night as the Red Storm beat No. 12 Kentucky, 62-61, in the opening round of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic.

Cook had 18 points and five assists, with his biggest pass setting up Anthony Glover for the game-winning, three-point play with five seconds left.

“Omar drew up the winning play,” St. John’s Coach Mike Jarvis said. “He saw something in the defense used by Kentucky on our out-of-bounds plays. We ran it, he made the pass, Anthony made the play and we’ll all take the victory.”

Cook had to step in and replace Erick Barkley, who left St. John’s after two seasons for the NBA. They both went to Christ The King High School in New York City.

“I wouldn’t say I was nervous. I waited a long time for this game,” Cook said. “I guess I was just anxious.”

The Red Storm will play No. 7 Kansas in tonight’s championship game.

Cook inbounded the ball and got his fifth assist when he found Glover down low. He laid it in and was fouled and the free throw gave St. John’s its first lead since 21-19 with 5:50 left in the first half.

Kentucky had one field goal in the final five minutes and was four for 11 from the line over the last 7:13.

Glover finished with 21 points.

Sophomore Marquis Estill, who didn’t play last season, led Kentucky with 15 points.