D.J. Kennedy led the way with 18 points and six rebounds and Justin Brownlee added 15 as St. John’s grabbed control in the second half and ran away from Columbia, 79-66, on Wednesday.

Malik Smith chipped in 11 points and Dwayne Polee Jr. finished with 10 for the Red Storm (2-1), who limited the Lions to 36 percent (20-of-56) shooting in the game.

Columbia (1-2) ended the first half on a 7-0 run to grab a 39-35 lead at the break. Dyami Sparks gave the Lions the lead with a 3-pointer and Asenso Ampim sent them into the locker room with a dunk. Columbia knocked down 8-of-15 3-point attempts in the opening half, making up for hitting just 3-of-8 from the free throw line.

But St. John’s came out strong in the second half, grabbing the lead for good on Kennedy’s free throws less than two minutes into the half and did not look back, stretching it to 70-57 on Burrell’s dunk with 6:31 remaining and coasting to the finish.

Noruwa Agho led Columbia with 18 points.