Rick Pitino Reaches 900 Wins As St John’s Stages Epic Comeback Over Xavier

On a night packed with drama, history, and a family rivalry for the ages, Rick Pitino etched his name even deeper into college basketball lore. St. John’s, under Pitino’s determined guidance, stormed back from a daunting 16-point deficit to topple Xavier 88-83 at Cincinnati’s Cintas Center on January 24, 2026. The victory marked Pitino’s 900th career collegiate win, making him just the fourth Division I coach to ever reach that rarefied milestone.

But this wasn’t just any milestone game. Pitino’s Red Storm squared off against the Xavier Musketeers, led by none other than his own son, Richard Pitino, who took the Xavier helm last March. With both coaches donning sharp suits—a rare sight for Richard, who usually favors a more casual look—the father-son showdown added a layer of emotion and intrigue that few regular season games can match. The embrace they shared before tip-off underscored the gravity of the occasion for both men.

The action itself was nothing short of electric. St. John’s (15-5, 8-1 Big East) came out hot, surging to a 20-11 lead behind the sharp shooting of Ian Jackson, who knocked down his first five shots and tallied 13 of the Red Storm’s first 20 points. Yet, the Musketeers (11-9, 3-6) responded with a vengeance. Sparked by a four-point play from Malik Messina-Moore, Xavier unleashed a 36-13 run, seizing a 47-33 advantage late in the first half. By halftime, the Musketeers were firmly in control, up 49-37 after closing the opening period on a 26-12 spurt.

Early in the second half, Xavier extended their lead to 55-39, leaving the Red Storm faithful biting their nails. But if there’s one thing Rick Pitino’s teams are known for, it’s resilience. St. John’s answered with a furious 16-1 run, slicing the deficit to a single point. Still, Xavier’s Tre Carroll—who finished with a career-high 31 points, including 18 in the second half—refused to let the Musketeers fade. Carroll rattled off 11 straight points to push the lead back to eight, 66-53, midway through the second half.

The Red Storm, however, weren’t done yet. Bryce Hopkins, steady as ever, poured in 18 points and snagged eight boards. His three-point play with just over seven minutes left gave St. John’s its first lead since early in the game. Dillon Mitchell continued his impressive campaign, posting 17 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and four steals. Ian Jackson chipped in 16 points, while Zuby Ejiofor battled for 13 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and three steals before fouling out in the final minute.

“When your team, with that type of crowd, doesn’t bend, doesn’t break, just keeps staying in there, it’s remarkable how they’re playing right now,” Rick Pitino told reporters. “So I’m really proud of them.”

The closing minutes were pure theater. After Ejiofor fouled out with 1:12 to play and Xavier briefly reclaimed the lead on a Filip Borovicanin three-point play, the Red Storm’s hopes looked dim. Enter Dylan Darling. The junior guard, who scored all 11 of his points in the second half, calmly buried a go-ahead three-pointer with 53.2 seconds left—his fifth point in the final 80 seconds. Moments later, after a crucial defensive stop, Ruben Prey grabbed an offensive rebound and converted a putback layup with just 13 seconds remaining, effectively sealing the win and sending the St. John’s bench into jubilation.

“He won’t say he really wanted this win, [but] we all know he really wanted this win over his son. Really fun to be able to pull through,” Darling said, reflecting the team’s collective joy at delivering the milestone for their coach.

In the aftermath, the Red Storm players celebrated their coach’s achievement with commemorative T-shirts and a Gatorade shower in the locker room. Ejiofor presented Pitino with the game-used basketball as a keepsake. The coach, drenched and beaming, told his team: “To be with you for 900 is extra special.”

The win was not only a testament to Pitino’s storied career but also to the tenacity of this year’s St. John’s squad. The Red Storm have now won six straight games and, at 8-1 in the Big East, are just a game behind conference leader UConn, who took down Villanova in overtime the same night. This comeback victory echoed their previous game, where they erased another double-digit second-half deficit to defeat Seton Hall, showing a newfound refusal to quit that’s become their calling card.

For Rick Pitino, the 900-win plateau is another jewel in a crown that already includes two national championships, seven Final Four appearances, and a host of coaching honors. Though the NCAA officially recognizes 777 wins due to vacated victories from his Louisville tenure, Pitino’s on-court total is widely celebrated across the basketball world. He now joins legends Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Boeheim, and Roy Williams as the only Division I men’s coaches to reach 900 career wins.

“Nine hundred [wins] means that I’ve had longevity,” Pitino reflected. “I spent 10 years in the pros, and so 900 with 10 years in the pros is really something. I’m very thankful to all my players, to all my assistant coaches for helping me get there.”

As for the family rivalry, Rick now holds a 4-1 edge over Richard in head-to-head matchups. The next chapter in their friendly feud is already set: the teams will square off again in New York on February 9. But for now, the elder Pitino savors both the win and the pride in his son’s coaching journey. “I don’t like beating him, obviously, but it’s beating Xavier,” Pitino told TNT’s Andy Katz. “Richard did a phenomenal job. ... From where they were, losing to Santa Clara, to now is one of the best coaching jobs I’ve seen in basketball. I can’t love him or be more proud of him.”

Xavier, for their part, had their own moments to celebrate, including the retirement of former star Tu Holloway’s number at halftime and standout performances from Messina-Moore (18 points) and Jovan Milicevic (14 points before fouling out). The Musketeers will look to regroup as they head to Seton Hall for their next contest.

Meanwhile, St. John’s returns home to Madison Square Garden for a showdown with Butler on January 28, riding the momentum of a historic victory and a season that’s rapidly gaining steam. In the afterglow of win number 900, Pitino’s Red Storm are proving they’re not just playing for milestones—they’re playing for something much bigger this year.