St. John’s rolls past No. 3 UConn for statement Big East win – New York Post

Background

St. John’s entered the matchup on a nine-game winning streak, a run that transformed a season that began with disappointment into legitimate March contention. Early nonconference losses, including defeats where the team failed to finish against Iowa State and Alabama, had raised doubts about depth and consistency. Over the past five weeks the Red Storm addressed those concerns, improving defensive rotations and getting impactful minutes from frontcourt pieces.

UConn arrived having faced several top-11 opponents this season, including Arizona, Illinois and Kansas, and had looked dominant while playing most games at full strength. Coach Dan Hurley’s roster is built on pressure defense and transition, and prior to this game the Huskies had been able to absorb challenges late in contests. The Garden matchup was billed as a measuring stick for both programs in the Big East hierarchy.

The regional rivalry and national stakes amplified the atmosphere: Madison Square Garden was sold out and partisan, enhancing St. John’s home-court energy. For St. John’s, a win over a top-three team would be the signature résumé boost needed for seeding and perception heading into the final stretch of conference play.

Main Event

St. John’s controlled much of the second half, opening a lead as large as 11 points before UConn mounted a 16-5 run that narrowed the margin to one. In the final 4:46, however, the Red Storm delivered a 15-7 run that extinguished the Huskies’ comeback. Ejiofor’s offensive rebound and assist on a Mitchell layup, followed by a Darling stepback three and a Ejiofor jump hook, pushed the lead back to seven with 2:27 left, and UConn did not seriously threaten after that sequence.

Ejiofor’s all-around performance anchored the victory: 21 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, three blocks and two steals. Mitchell and Hopkins provided interior scoring and toughness, combining for 29 points and 12 rebounds. St. John’s converted UConn miscues into points — 15 turnovers yielded 20 points — and grabbed numerous offensive boards to sustain possessions.

While Silas Demary Jr. led UConn with 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists, his nine turnovers were costly and reflected the sustained pressure St. John’s placed on ball handlers. Hurley noted the importance of limiting turnovers and winning the glass before the game; St. John’s executed on both fronts. The toughness of the Red Storm frontcourt forced UConn into smaller lineups at times, altering the Huskies’ usual control in the paint.

Postgame emotion was palpable: Ejiofor celebrated with the student section after the final horn, and Pitino emphasized composure in timeouts as the team weathered UConn runs. The crowd’s energy and sustained defensive focus were decisive in the closing minutes, turning a tight finish into a definitive statement win for St. John’s.

Analysis & Implications

Strategically, St. John’s victory illustrates how pressure on primary ball handlers and aggressive rebounding can neutralize higher-ranked, talent-laden opponents. For UConn, turnovers and occasional lapses on the glass exposed vulnerabilities that elite teams will exploit come tournament time. This game suggests that seeding projections and national assumptions about a clear UConn supremacy in the Big East deserve reassessment.

For St. John’s, the win bolsters an at-large profile and could improve NCAA Tournament seeding if the team sustains this level of play. The résumé effect of beating a top-three opponent at Madison Square Garden is substantial — it matters to selection committees and public perception alike. More immediately, the victory gives the Red Storm momentum and confidence in close-game situations.

Coach Pitino’s emphasis on a ‘no fear of failure’ mentality appears to have translated into steadier late-game execution; the team did not panic when UConn closed the margin. If St. John’s maintains defensive intensity and converts turnovers into points at a similar rate, they become a matchup problem for teams that rely on half-court offense.

On the flip side, UConn’s loss does not erase a largely dominant season but does raise questions about depth and ball security under sustained pressure. Opponents studying film from this game will look to replicate the Red Storm’s success by attacking ball handlers and crashing the offensive glass.

Comparison & Data

Context: St. John’s outscored UConn late and produced a significant advantage in points off turnovers and offensive rebounds. The table highlights the scoreboard impact and how the Red Storm turned specific statistical edges into a marquee victory. These advantages — particularly second-chance scoring and turnover conversion — were decisive in overcoming UConn’s otherwise efficient offense.

Reactions & Quotes

Coach Rick Pitino framed the win as a function of composure and timely plays: he praised his players for staying calm and making necessary plays in crunch time. Pitino’s short, pointed comments underscored his game-plan focus on sustaining defensive pressure.

“We made a lot of big plays tonight, and I’m proud of our guys for not panicking one bit at any point in the game.”

Rick Pitino, St. John’s head coach (postgame)

Dan Hurley acknowledged the toughness of the opponent and noted UConn’s recent slate of elite tests this season, while recognizing turnovers and rebounding were decisive factors. His remarks were measured, pointing to corrections rather than dramatic roster changes after a first full-strength loss.

“As hard a game as we’ve had to play all year.”

Dan Hurley, UConn head coach (postgame)

Players also reacted: Ejiofor described the crowd’s role and the emotional release at the final buzzer, crediting the team’s engagement across the roster. Those player-level reflections highlighted both the environment at the Garden and internal belief within the locker room.

“We had more of a home crowd than we thought… When the buzzer sounded, it was over and you realized you beat a really well-coached team.”

Zuby Ejiofor, St. John’s forward

Unconfirmed

• Any internal injuries or ailments affecting UConn’s rotation during the game have not been independently confirmed beyond normal coach comments.
• Long-term impact on NCAA seeding projections is still evolving; committee responses to this single result are speculative at this stage.

Bottom Line

St. John’s 81-72 victory over No. 3 UConn at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 6, 2025 is a landmark result for the program: it ends an 18-game Husky streak, cements a nine-game run for the Red Storm, and tangibly improves their NCAA profile. The win highlights St. John’s ability to pressure ball handlers, secure offensive rebounds and convert turnovers into points — formulae that neutralized UConn’s advantages.

For UConn, the loss is a reminder that turnover control and rebounding are vulnerabilities under sustained pressure; the Huskies remain a top team but now face new scrutiny in conference play. Moving forward, the Big East race is more open: St. John’s has signaled it is a genuine contender, and selection committees and opponents will take note as the season moves toward March.

Sources

• New York Post (news media; game coverage and quotes)