Federico Mussini scored 18 points for the second consecutive game, leading St. John's past Maryland-Baltimore County 75-53 in the opening round of the Maui Invitational on Monday at Carnesecca Arena in New York.

Mussini, a freshman guard playing in his second collegiate game, could not replicate his 4-for-6 performance from 3-point range in a season-opening loss to Wake Forest on Friday, as he went 0-for-3 from long range Monday. However, he was 8-for-8 from the free-throw line and dished out six assists.

Guard/forward Durand Johnson had 15 points and five rebounds, guard/forward Ron Mvouika added 16 points, and center Yankuba Sima amassed eight points, nine rebounds, and five blocks for the Red Storm, who shot 52.9 percent (27-for-51) from the floor.

Retrievers guard Joe Sherburne totaled 16 points and nine rebounds to pace UMBC, which struggled to the tune of a 26.9 percent shooting night (18-for-67). Guard Rodney Elliott also had 16 points, and forward Cody Joyce contributed seven points and 10 rebounds.

Elliott's 3-pointer with 10:02 left in the second half brought the Retrievers within 47-40, but the Red Storm reeled off a 28-13 run to close the game.

St. John's led 31-22 at halftime.