HARTFORD, Conn. — Shenneika Smith scored 24 points and No. 18 St. John’

s beat No. 20 Louisville 68-61 in overtime yesterday in a Big East quarterfinal game.

Nadirah McKenith added 15 points for the Red Storm (22-8), who held Louisville to two free throws and a late 3-pointer by Shoni Schimmel in the extra period.

The second-seeded Red Storm, who have won nine straight games, will face UConn, a 49-34 winner over Rutgers last night.