St. John's men's basketball team has recorded two significant victories, advancing to the Big East Tournament championship after defeating Seton Hall in the semifinal and previously ending No. 3 Connecticut's 18-game winning streak.
These significant wins contribute to St. John's recent performance, which includes 18 victories in their last 19 games.
Big East Tournament Semifinal: St. John's Defeats Seton Hall 78-68
St. John's secured a 78-68 victory over Seton Hall in the Big East Tournament semifinal on Friday night at Madison Square Garden. This win marks St. John's advancement to its second consecutive conference tournament championship game, a program achievement not seen since the 1999-2000 season.
St. John's established an early lead in the game. They executed two separate 11-0 scoring runs, including one at the beginning of the second half, which extended their lead to 19 points.
Seton Hall reduced the deficit to six points with 4:41 remaining in the game. However, a crucial 7-0 run by St. John's, initiated by Zuby Ejiofor's scoring and a blocked shot, helped to re-establish their control and secure the win.
Key Player Performances: St. John's vs. Seton Hall
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St. John's:
- Zuby Ejiofor: 20 points, 5 rebounds.
- Joson Sanon: 15 points.
- Dillon Mitchell: 13 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists.
- Bryce Hopkins: 13 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists.
- The team shot an impressive 51 percent from the field in the first half and scored 24 points in the paint.
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Seton Hall:
- Adam "Budd" Clark: 17 points, 11 assists.
St. John's will proceed to face the winner of the Connecticut versus Georgetown game in the championship, scheduled for Saturday night. Seton Hall's loss in the semifinal may significantly impact their qualification chances for the NCAA Tournament.
St. John's Ends No. 3 UConn's Undefeated Streak with 81-72 Victory
In a separate contest, St. John's defeated No. 3 Connecticut 81-72 at Madison Square Garden. This result ended the Huskies' 18-game winning streak and marked UConn's first loss of the season when playing at full strength. For St. John's, it was their ninth consecutive win and their first against a top-three team since 2021.
St. John's held an 11-point lead in the second half. UConn responded with a 16-5 run, reducing the lead to a single point. Despite the comeback attempt, St. John's maintained composure, outscoring Connecticut 15-7 in the final 4:46 of the game to secure the victory. St. John's also began the second half with a 16-6 scoring run, extending their lead to 10 points earlier in the half.
Key Player Performances: St. John's vs. UConn
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St. John's:
- Zuby Ejiofor: 21 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 blocks, 2 steals.
- Dillon Mitchell: 15 points, 6 rebounds.
- Bryce Hopkins: 14 points, 6 rebounds.
- Dylan Darling: 9 points, 2 assists (all in the second half).
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Connecticut:
- Silas Demary Jr.: 18 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 9 turnovers.
St. John's effectively capitalized on opportunities, scoring 16 second-chance points and converting 15 UConn turnovers into 20 points. Coach Rick Pitino noted the team's composure during the game, while UConn coach Dan Hurley commented on the intensity of the contest and the physicality of St. John's frontcourt.