Strus-ed Out: St. John's Done In By DePaul Star's 43 Points

Max Strus. @DePaulHoops.

St. John's has always had issues covering DePaul guard Max Strus, and Sunday was no different, as he scored 43 points to lead the Blue Demons to a 92-83 victory.

Strus shot 14-22 from the field, including 6-10 from behind the arc, a perfect 9-9 from the free-throw line, and added 4 rebounds and an assist.

Fit To Be Tied: NYCFC, Red Bulls Each Draw On Road To Open MLS Season

NYCFC's Alex Ring celebrates his goal. @NYCFC.

On Saturday, opening day of the MLS season, New York City Football Club tied Orlando City SC 2-2, while the Red Bulls earned a 1-1 draw with the Columbus Crew.

Books: Amber Tamblyn On Her (And America's) "Era Of Ignition"

Amber Tamblyn.

Era Of Ignition: Coming Of Age In A Time Of Rage And Revolution
By Amber Tamblyn
Crown Archetype; hardcover, $25.00; available Tuesday, March 5

Amber Tamblyn is an author, actor, and director. She’s been nominated for an Emmy, Golden Globe, and Independent Spirit Award for her work in television and film, including House M.D. and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Most recently, she wrote and directed the feature film Paint It Black. Tamblyn is the author of three books of poetry, including the critically acclaimed bestseller Dark Sparkler.

Books: New Novels, Including "Where the Forest Meets the Stars"

There are new novels out that are full of suspense, thrills, mystery, compelling character and stories: Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah; Debris Line by Matthew Fitzsimmons; Just After Midnight by Catherine Ryan Hyde; and Daughters of the Lake by Wendy Webb.

Books: "The Broken Circle" On Escaping Afghanistan

The Broken Circle: A Memoir Of Escaping Afghanistan
By Enjeela Ahmadi-Miller
Little A; hardcover, $24.95; eBook, $4.99; available today, Friday, March 1

Enjeela Ahmadi-Miller was born in 1976 in Kabul, Afghanistan, and is now a citizen of the United States. She has also lived in Pakistan and India and speaks several languages, including Farsi, English, Hindi, and Urdu.

Books: "The Fever King" By Victoria Lee

The Fever King
By Victoria Lee
Skyscape; hardcover, 384 pages; $16.99; available Friday, March 1

Victoria Lee, a moral psychologist, is fascinated by how out emotions affect and influence the ethical decisions we make. With inspiration from her extensive research and study of the grey area between heroic and villainous acts and how both can be justified by the individual's own subjective point of view, she has written her debut novel, The Fever King.

St. John's Stumbles In Home Finale, Falls To Xavier

St. John's Head Coach Chris Mullin had plenty to say to the referees. Photo by Jason Schott.

St. John's had one of their toughest games of the season, as they fell to Xavier, 84-73, in the home finale at Carnesecca Arena on Thursday night, just their second loss in that building all season.

St. John's falls to 8-8 in Big East play, now tied with Butler for third place in the conference. They are 20-9 overall, and this was one they needed to burnish their NCAA Tournament resume.