St. John’s Upsets UConn at Madison Square Garden
In a thrilling encounter at Madison Square Garden, No. 22 St. John’s took a decisive step in the Big East, defeating No. 3 UConn, 81-72, and bringing an end to the Huskies’ impressive 18-game winning streak. This game marked a significant moment in the conference, showcasing that the Red Storm is a formidable competitor this season.
Standout Performances
Zuby Ejiofor delivered a standout performance with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists, leading his team to victory against the defending champions. Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino praised his squad for their composure throughout the match, saying,
“We made a lot of big plays tonight, and I’m proud of our guys for just not panicking at any point in the game.”
St. John’s improved their record to 18-5 overall and 11-1 within the Big East, now just half a game behind the first-place Huskies (22-2, 12-1). Ejiofor, also acknowledged as the Big East’s preseason player of the year, demonstrated defensive prowess with three blocks and two steals, celebrating enthusiastically afterward with the St. John’s student supporters. He described the atmosphere as electric, stating,
“All the emotions really just flew out.”
Team Contributions
In a closely contested game, Dillon Mitchell contributed 15 points while Bryce Hopkins added another 14 for the Red Storm, who are currently enjoying a nine-game winning streak and have claimed 14 victories in their last 16 games. Meanwhile, UConn’s Silas Demary Jr. led his team with 18 points but struggled with ball control, accounting for nine of the team’s 15 turnovers. His coach, Dan Hurley, described the game as a
“roller-coaster ride”
and acknowledged that their offense was too lenient with the ball.
Defensive Struggles and Key Moments
Despite strong offensive numbers, with UConn hitting 55% from the field and a notable 9 of 19 on three-pointers, their defense faltered in the second half, allowing St. John’s to cement their lead. After trailing by 11 points, UConn rallied to close the gap to just one point, but the Red Storm held their ground in the closing stages with strategic plays. A step-back three from Dylan Darling and a crucial basket from Ejiofor pushed the score to 74-67 with just over two minutes remaining, and UConn was unable to recover from there.
Free-Throw Shooting and Future Matchups
In terms of free-throw shooting, St. John’s excelled, going 22 for 31, compared to UConn’s 5 of 12. Hurley remarked on the physicality of St. John’s players, highlighting their readiness for Big East confrontations. Reflecting on the intense matchup and its significance, Ejiofor emphasized the team’s focused preparation and effort, indicating,
“We were able to lock in for a full 40 minutes and grind it out, doing whatever it takes to win each possession.”
This game marked the first time these two rivals faced off at The Garden while both were ranked in the AP Top 25 since they clashed in the 2000 Big East Tournament final. The teams are set to meet again on February 25 in Hartford, Connecticut, where St. John’s will aim to continue their momentum. Pitino noted the importance of this victory while looking forward to further improvements, saying,
“What Bryce, Dillon, and Zuby are doing in the frontcourt is pretty special.”
