{"id":18294,"date":"2026-02-07T08:06:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-07T08:06:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/st-johns-beats-no-3-uconn\/"},"modified":"2026-02-07T08:06:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-07T08:06:15","slug":"st-johns-beats-no-3-uconn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/st-johns-beats-no-3-uconn\/","title":{"rendered":"St. John\u2019s rolls past No. 3 UConn for statement Big East win &#8211; New York Post"},"content":{"rendered":"<article>\n<p><strong>Lead<\/strong>: On Feb. 6, 2025 at Madison Square Garden, No. 22 St. John\u2019s defeated No. 3 Connecticut 81-72, snapping UConn\u2019s 18-game winning streak and propelling the Red Storm to their ninth straight victory. The win \u2014 St. John\u2019s first over a top-three opponent since 2021 \u2014 came before a sellout crowd and marked a defining moment in the Big East race. Head coach Rick Pitino and his players executed a late-game defensive shutdown, turning turnovers and offensive rebounds into decisive points. The result shifts perceptions: St. John\u2019s now carries an elite r\u00e9sum\u00e9 into March.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>St. John\u2019s beat No. 3 UConn 81-72 on Feb. 6, 2025 at Madison Square Garden, ending UConn\u2019s 18-game win streak.<\/li>\n<li>Zuby Ejiofor produced 21 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, three blocks and two steals \u2014 a five-category-impact night.<\/li>\n<li>The Red Storm improved to 18-5 overall and 11-1 in Big East play; UConn fell to 22-2 and 12-1 in conference.<\/li>\n<li>St. John\u2019s converted 15 turnovers into 20 points and outscored UConn in second-chance points, 16-0 in that margin.<\/li>\n<li>A late 4:46 stretch saw St. John\u2019s outscore Connecticut 15-7, sealing the result despite a UConn rally that cut the lead to one.<\/li>\n<li>Key contributors included Dillon Mitchell (15 points, six rebounds), Bryce Hopkins (14 points, six rebounds) and Dylan Darling\u2019s timely shooting.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<section>\n<h2>Background<\/h2>\n<p>St. John\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p>The regional rivalry and national stakes amplified the atmosphere: Madison Square Garden was sold out and partisan, enhancing St. John\u2019s home-court energy. For St. John\u2019s, a win over a top-three team would be the signature r\u00e9sum\u00e9 boost needed for seeding and perception heading into the final stretch of conference play.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<h2>Main Event<\/h2>\n<p>St. John\u2019s 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\u2019 comeback. Ejiofor\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p>Ejiofor\u2019s 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\u2019s converted UConn miscues into points \u2014 15 turnovers yielded 20 points \u2014 and grabbed numerous offensive boards to sustain possessions.<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019s placed on ball handlers. Hurley noted the importance of limiting turnovers and winning the glass before the game; St. John\u2019s executed on both fronts. The toughness of the Red Storm frontcourt forced UConn into smaller lineups at times, altering the Huskies\u2019 usual control in the paint.<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019s energy and sustained defensive focus were decisive in the closing minutes, turning a tight finish into a definitive statement win for St. John\u2019s.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<h2>Analysis &#038; Implications<\/h2>\n<p>Strategically, St. John\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p>For St. John\u2019s, the win bolsters an at-large profile and could improve NCAA Tournament seeding if the team sustains this level of play. The r\u00e9sum\u00e9 effect of beating a top-three opponent at Madison Square Garden is substantial \u2014 it matters to selection committees and public perception alike. More immediately, the victory gives the Red Storm momentum and confidence in close-game situations.<\/p>\n<p>Coach Pitino\u2019s emphasis on a &#8216;no fear of failure&#8217; mentality appears to have translated into steadier late-game execution; the team did not panic when UConn closed the margin. If St. John\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p>On the flip side, UConn\u2019s 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\u2019s success by attacking ball handlers and crashing the offensive glass.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<h2>Comparison &#038; Data<\/h2>\n<figure>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Metric<\/th>\n<th>St. John\u2019s<\/th>\n<th>UConn<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Final Score<\/td>\n<td>81<\/td>\n<td>72<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Record (overall)<\/td>\n<td>18-5<\/td>\n<td>22-2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Conference<\/td>\n<td>11-1<\/td>\n<td>12-1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Turnovers (converted)<\/td>\n<td>15 \u2192 20 points<\/td>\n<td>9 turnovers by Demary Jr.; team total higher<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Second-chance points<\/td>\n<td>16<\/td>\n<td>(fewer)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><figcaption>Box-score\u2013level comparison from Feb. 6, 2025 game at Madison Square Garden.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Context: St. John\u2019s 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 \u2014 particularly second-chance scoring and turnover conversion \u2014 were decisive in overcoming UConn\u2019s otherwise efficient offense.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<h2>Reactions &#038; Quotes<\/h2>\n<p>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\u2019s short, pointed comments underscored his game-plan focus on sustaining defensive pressure.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cWe made a lot of big plays tonight, and I\u2019m proud of our guys for not panicking one bit at any point in the game.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><cite>Rick Pitino, St. John&#8217;s head coach (postgame)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Dan Hurley acknowledged the toughness of the opponent and noted UConn\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cAs hard a game as we\u2019ve had to play all year.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><cite>Dan Hurley, UConn head coach (postgame)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Players also reacted: Ejiofor described the crowd\u2019s role and the emotional release at the final buzzer, crediting the team\u2019s engagement across the roster. Those player-level reflections highlighted both the environment at the Garden and internal belief within the locker room.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cWe had more of a home crowd than we thought\u2026 When the buzzer sounded, it was over and you realized you beat a really well-coached team.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><cite>Zuby Ejiofor, St. John&#8217;s forward<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/section>\n<aside>\n<details>\n<summary>Explainer: Why turnovers and offensive rebounds swing tight games<\/summary>\n<p>Turnovers often lead to transition points or easy baskets that change momentum quickly; teams that convert opponent turnovers into points gain efficiency while denying the other side scoring opportunities. Offensive rebounds extend possessions, force additional defensive sets, and increase second-chance scoring. In tight contests, repeated extra possessions and fast-break opportunities compound into margins that are difficult to erase late in games.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/aside>\n<section>\n<h2>Unconfirmed<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Any internal injuries or ailments affecting UConn\u2019s rotation during the game have not been independently confirmed beyond normal coach comments.<\/li>\n<li>Long-term impact on NCAA seeding projections is still evolving; committee responses to this single result are speculative at this stage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<h2>Bottom Line<\/h2>\n<p>St. John\u2019s 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\u2019s ability to pressure ball handlers, secure offensive rebounds and convert turnovers into points \u2014 formulae that neutralized UConn\u2019s advantages.<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019s has signaled it is a genuine contender, and selection committees and opponents will take note as the season moves toward March.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<h2>Sources<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/02\/06\/sports\/st-johns-rolls-past-no-3-uconn-for-statement-big-east-win\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">New York Post<\/a> (news media; game coverage and quotes)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lead: On Feb. 6, 2025 at Madison Square Garden, No. 22 St. John\u2019s defeated No. 3 Connecticut 81-72, snapping UConn\u2019s 18-game winning streak and propelling the Red Storm to their ninth straight victory. The win \u2014 St. John\u2019s first over a top-three opponent since 2021 \u2014 came before a sellout crowd and marked a defining &#8230; <a title=\"St. John\u2019s rolls past No. 3 UConn for statement Big East win &#8211; New York Post\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/st-johns-beats-no-3-uconn\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about St. John\u2019s rolls past No. 3 UConn for statement Big East win &#8211; New York Post\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18290,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_title":"St. John's topples No. 3 UConn \u2014 Inside Sports","rank_math_description":"St. John's defeated No. 3 UConn 81-72 at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 6, 2025, snapping an 18-game streak and delivering a statement Big East win led by Zuby Ejiofor.","rank_math_focus_keyword":"st john's,uconn,big east,ejiofor,pitino","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18294","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-top-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18294","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18294"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18294\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18290"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18294"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18294"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/readtrends.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18294"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}