PROVIDENCE, R.I. (March 22, 2025) – The No. 2 St. John’s men’s basketball team capped off a historic season, finishing with a 31-5 overall record, but saw their NCAA Tournament dreams end abruptly with a 75-66 loss to No. 10 Arkansas in the second round. St. John’s fought valiantly in the second half after trailing by as many as 13 points but ultimately fell short in a hard-fought match held at Amica Mutual Pavilion.
St. John’s started strong in the first half, briefly taking the lead with a late surge, only to head into halftime trailing, 35-32, after Arkansas closed the half with seven unanswered points. Zuby Ejiofor was a standout performer for the Red Storm, scoring 23 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. However, the Razorbacks, fueled by Karter Knox's 15 points and a combined 44 points from their key players, ensured their advancement to the Sweet 16.
The Red Storm's season featured a remarkable home record of 21-0, marking the team's first undefeated campaign at home in 93 years. They had high hopes for a deep run in the tournament, highlighted by capturing both the BIG EAST Regular Season and Tournament Championships. However, the match against Arkansas revealed a stark reality: despite their potential, St. John's struggled offensively, shooting just 28% from the field and hitting a mere 2-of-22 attempts from beyond the arc.
Ejiofor's performance was a beacon amidst the gloom, as he demonstrated efficiency, particularly at the free-throw line, sinking 9-of-11 attempts. But the rest of the team faced challenges; RJ Luis Jr., the Big East Player of the Year, endured a dismal outing, finishing with 9 points on 3-of-17 shooting. St. John's head coach Rick Pitino expressed his disappointment, emphasizing the team's struggle to maintain their rhythm after regaining the lead. “I don’t know what happened, but we ended up losing the lead again and we couldn’t really recover from that point,” Ejiofor reflected post-game.
The game showcased a stark turnaround from the initial moments, when the Razorbacks took an early lead thanks to Johnell Davis's three-pointer. St. John’s responded with vigor, pulling ahead 28-27 at one stage. Unfortunately for the Red Storm, their offensive performance stagnated, with just five assists recorded throughout the game and critical turnovers at pivotal moments that stymied their comeback efforts.
Arkansas outscored St. John’s by 17 points during a decisive stretch from the end of the first half into the second. Despite the Red Storm's relentless spirit, which saw them close the gap to just two points on three occasions, the Razorbacks held their ground and closed the game strong.
After the game, Coach Pitino was grateful for the efforts of his senior transfers, citing Kadary Richmond, Aaron Scott, and Deivon Smith. “I’m just very appreciative of Aaron Scott. He had a bad game, but he gave me his heart and soul with a torn ligament in finger,” Pitino stated, underlining their contributions throughout the season. Nevertheless, the tournament exit left a bitter taste, particularly given the anticipation garnered from a season filled with potential glory.
Luis, reflecting on his performance, noted, “I let my teammates down,” bearing the weight of expectations as the team’s star player. As the players and staff transition quickly towards preparing their lineup for next year, hopes remain high despite the disappointment of this season's early exit. Pitino hinted at rebuilding efforts, marking a fresh chapter as the NCAA transfer portal opens.
This marked the end of St. John’s notable season, one highlighted by a resurgence under Coach Pitino that rekindled excitement among their fans, including legendary figures such as Spike Lee, who attended the game. The lessons learned and experiences gained throughout this tumultuous tournament reveal potential for another competitive season ahead.
As the Red Storm fans reflect on their team's journey, they are left with an indelible mark of resilience, a testament to their achievements this year and a hopeful outlook for what lies ahead. The No. 10 Arkansas Razorbacks will continue their pursuit of glory as they advance to face Texas Tech in the Sweet 16.
