Clint Steindl scored a career-high 22 points, including seven 3-pointers, as Saint Mary’s ruined Steve Lavin’s return to coaching with a 76-71 win Monday over visiting St. John’s.

St. John’s led by three at the half, but Saint Mary’s used a 14-0 run late in the second half to improve to 2-0. Eight different players scored for the Gaels, who reached the NCAA Sweet 16 last season.

It was a game of firsts for Lavin, including his first technical foul of the season late in the first half. The former UCLA coach spent the past seven years as a television analyst.

Part of ESPN’s College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon, the first half had five ties and nine lead changes, with St. John’s leading 31-28. St. John’s went scoreless for the first 5:02 of the second half.

Freshman Dwayne Polee II led the Red Storm with 16 points. Senior point guard Malik Boothe had 15 points and guard Malik Stith added 13 points, all in the second half.

St. John’s, picked sixth in the Big East preseason coaches’ poll, shot 39 percent from the field (22 of 56), and hit just 4 of 15 from 3-point range.

Picked to finish third in the West Coast Conference preseason coaches’ poll, Saint Mary’s won despite off-nights for Matthew Dellavedova (15 points, including 13 free throws) and Mickey McConnell (10 points).