By By Nick Pipitone

HONORSPlayer of the game: Pride center Vanessa GiddenEven in a losing effort, Gidden put on a spectacular effort in the Pride’s 71-65 defeat this past Sunday. Scoring a season-high 20 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, Gidden’s play was especially prevalent down the stretch when the team needed it most.Play of the game: St. John’s guard Kia Wright’s baseline jumper with 20 seconds remainingWith the Pride trailing by two with only 20 seconds left, Wright got the in-bounds pass and drove to the lane, cutting through two Pride defenders, and laying in the final points that would ice the Red Storm victory.

HARSHAW’S HEREOne of the qualities that the Pride women’s basketball team is most excited about this season is its depth. Against St. John’s, it was given an ample opportunity to prove how important that really is.With Gidden and senior forward Amaka Agugua in foul trouble in the first half, junior forward Lana Harshaw filled in nicely. “One thing about Lana is that whenever our backs are against the wall she really steps up,” head coach Felisha Legette-Jack said. “I want to see Lana do it when the team is playing well and tonight was a night when Vanessa was doing her thing and Lana stepped up. So I see a great situation for our team.”

CLAXTON’S BACKLisa Claxton returned to Hempstead, her hometown, and also the place where many thought she would don a Pride jersey someday. She would have followed in the footsteps of brother Speedy, now with the NBA’s New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets. Lisa, however, signed with area rival St. John’s, where as a freshman point guard she is averaging 12.8 minutes and 1.4 points.In Sunday’s game, Claxton nailed a three-pointer as the shot clock expired. The shot broke a tie at 52 with seven minutes remaining to put the Red Storm up for good.