Da'Shena Stevens had 19 points and 13 rebounds to help No. 22 St. John's beat Arkansas State 60-48 on Monday night.
Shenneika Smith added 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Red Storm (4-1), who outrebounded Arkansas State 48-27. It was Stevens third double-double this season.
Arkansas State (3-2) stayed close for 30 minutes, but St. John's slowly took control. Back-to-back baskets on offensive putbacks - the last from Eugeneia McPherson - gave St. John's its first double-digit lead of the game with 11 minutes to play. The lead would reach 14 and never again fall below seven.
Shay Scott led Arkansas State with 12 points. Shania Hurst added 11 points in the loss. Arkansas State hasn't beaten a ranked opponent since the 2004-05 season.
Arkansas State built an 18-6 lead before St. John's responded with the next nine points to pull within 18-15. The Red Storm led 29-28 at the half and never trailed again.
