NEW YORK (AP) — The St. John's Red Storm celebrated a historic win on Sunday, defeating the UConn Huskies 89-75 at Madison Square Garden. This victory marked the first time St. John's has swept UConn in the regular season since the 1999-2000 campaign, delivering a powerful statement as they continue to aim for the top spot in the Big East Conference.
Leading the charge for St. John's were Kadary Richmond and Zuby Ejiofor, each contributing 18 points. Richmond also made significant plays late in the game, showcasing his talent as he navigated the court with agility and precision. RJ Luis Jr., who sat out the previous game due to injury, added 14 points, helping secure the win for the Red Storm.
This game was pivotal for St. John's (24-4, 15-2 Big East), which now needs just one more victory or a loss from Creighton to clinch at least a share of their first regular-season conference title since 1992. Meanwhile, UConn (18-9, 10-6) fell back as they struggled to maintain their momentum after previously securing wins against top teams.
The first half indicated the tide of the match, with St. John's establishing dominance early on. After exchanging initial leads, the Red Storm unleashed 16-2 run, narrowing UConn’s options and creating significant pressure. At halftime, St. John's led 50-32, reflecting UConn's largest halftime deficit of the season. The Huskies’ struggles were underscored by their inability to capitalise on 18 turnovers and missed opportunities, which included 15 layups.
Both teams came out aggressively after the break, but St. John's quickly increased their lead. They opened the second half with early scores, pushing their advantage to as much as 22 points. Despite flashes of brilliance from UConn's Alex Karaban, who finished as the Huskies’ top scorer with 17 points, the team could not recover. Karaban's late-game three-pointers reignited hope momentarily for UConn, bringing them within nine points at one stage.
Yet each time UConn seemed to gather momentum, Richmond was there to answer, quashing any uprising from the defending NCAA champions. St. John's maintained composure through efficient shooting, finishing the game with 46.9% accuracy, including making eight three-pointers.
Postgame, UConn coach Dan Hurley acknowledged the immense pressure his team faced, stating, "The pressure they put on us early was hard to overcome," referring to St. John's aggressive defense. Richmond commented on the performance, saying, "We had great team chemistry and executed well defensively." St. John's head coach Rick Pitino emphasized the significance of the win, declaring, "This is what we’ve been striving for all season."
This loss places UConn's postseason aspirations uncertain, needing to reevaluate after their second straight defeat against St. John's this season. Next, the Huskies will face Georgetown on Wednesday, hoping to regain form, whereas St. John's will take on Butler, continuing their push for the top of the conference.