UConn poised to defend women’s hoop Big East title with St. John’s on the rise
Senior guard Skye Owen leads St. John’s into the 2025–26 season with grit, growth, and NYC pride with hopes of getting the Big East Title The post UConn poised to defend women’s hoop Big East title with St. John’s on the rise appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.
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“I want to be a leader on and off the court, but my big goal is really just winning,” said St. John’s University senior guard Jailah Donald.
Winning requires tenacity and teamwork in the talent stacked Big East Conference. Obviously, University of Connecticut, the reigning NCAA Division I Champions, took the top spot in the Big East Women’s Basketball Preseason poll. New Jersey’s Seton Hall University is picked to finish third, and St. John’s University in Queens, New York is slotted at sixth.
One of the notable returners for St. John’s is senior guard Skye Owen, one of only two New York City natives on the Red Storm. Owen said she has been taking more of a leadership role and engaging with the team’s six newcomers.
“This year, since I’ve been here for so long, it’s just sharing our culture with the newcomers,” said Owen. “The more we play with each other, the more comfortable we get. I think we adjust well … I think we have high defensive intensity while also being able to score. We’re bigger at the guard position. We have a post presence this year too.”
Owen, a finance major, is looking forward to relishing her senior year and thriving in basketball. “I’m just looking to leave it all on the court,” she said. “I lead by example, but I also help put people in places at times. With so many new people, they don’t always know the correct order of things, and I can help them along the way.”
Being a native New Yorker from Staten Island, Owen said nothing is like playing in New York when it’s your hometown, especially since friends and family can come watch you play. The last two seasons, the St. John’s women’s basketball team has played a game at Madison Square Garden. Currently, no games are scheduled for the storied arena, but there is much hope that a home game against UConn will take place at MSG. Owen said another opportunity to play there would be great.
In the era where players are navigating questions of name, image and likeness, Owen promises to post more on social media, chronicling an exciting season. She would love a brand deal for eyelashes — hers are always on point — or something related to healthy eating.
The St. John’s season kicks off in Queens on Nov. 3 vs Le Moyne. “We’re continuing to play our game and grow each day,” said Owen.
The post UConn poised to defend women’s hoop Big East title with St. John’s on the rise appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.
