Having lost four of five, St. John’s needed some good news in the worst way. They got some yesterday.

X-rays on Erick Barkley’s right pinky were negative and the sophomore point guard has been cleared to practice with the team. Barkley injured the finger in the second half of Monday night’s 63-57 loss at Syracuse.

The pinky was immobilized in a splint after the game and Barkley said he was in tremendous pain. Barkley scored 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting and had five assists with no turnovers.