With an impressive performance at a pulsating Madison Square Garden, No. 22 St. John’s showed everyone that third-ranked UConn has a legitimate challenger in the Big East. Zuby Ejiofor had 21 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists as the Red Storm powered past the Huskies 81-72, snapping their 18-game winning streak.
A deputy chief of Russia's military intelligence service is shot and wounded in MoscowThe US said a Marine could not adopt an Afghan girl. Records show officials helped him get herLive updates: Trump’s racist post about Obamas is deleted after backlash despite White House earlier defending itBad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show: Here's some things to expect and what they meanAP Entertainment WireUS stocks soar to their best day since May as the Dow tops 50,000 and bitcoin stops plungingRaccoon goes on drunken rampage in Virginia liquor store and passes out on bathroom floorMonkeys are on the loose in St.
Louis and AI is complicating efforts to capture themInspired by Picasso, an AP photographer visualizes a blind person ‘seeing’ artPhotos show workers clearing waves of trash from Bosnia’s Drina RiverTrump administration launches TrumpRx website for discounted drugsExperimental cholesterol-lowering pill may offer new option for millionsTrump's use of AI images pushes new boundaries, further eroding public trust, experts sayPope Leo XIV faces crisis as a traditionalist group plans bishop consecrations without consentToyota nombra nuevo CEO tras caída de gananciasIran and US hold indirect talks in Oman. America's military leader in the Mideast joins the talksThe Afternoon WireMan pardoned in U.S. Capitol riot pleads guilty to threatening Hakeem JeffriesLive updates: Trump’s racist post about Obamas is deleted after backlash despite White House earlier defending itBad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show: Here's some things to expect and what they meanAP Entertainment WireUS stocks soar to their best day since May as the Dow tops 50,000 and bitcoin stops plungingRaccoon goes on drunken rampage in Virginia liquor store and passes out on bathroom floorMonkeys are on the loose in St. Louis and AI is complicating efforts to capture themInspired by Picasso, an AP photographer visualizes a blind person ‘seeing’ artPhotos show workers clearing waves of trash from Bosnia’s Drina RiverTrump administration launches TrumpRx website for discounted drugsExperimental cholesterol-lowering pill may offer new option for millionsTrump's use of AI images pushes new boundaries, further eroding public trust, experts sayPope Leo XIV faces crisis as a traditionalist group plans bishop consecrations without consentToyota nombra nuevo CEO tras caída de gananciasSt. John’s forward Zuby Ejiofor smiles after defeating UConn in an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in New York. St. John’s guard Dylan Darling celebrates after a big defensive play during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against UConn, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in New York. St. John’s forward Dillon Mitchell celebrates with fans during the closing seconds of an NCAA college basketball game against UConn, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in New York. St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino paces the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against UConn, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in New York. UConn head coach Dan Hurley calls a play during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against St. John’s, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in New York. St. John’s forward Zuby Ejiofor smiles after defeating UConn in an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in New York. St. John’s forward Zuby Ejiofor smiles after defeating UConn in an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in New York. St. John’s guard Dylan Darling celebrates after a big defensive play during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against UConn, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in New York. St. John’s guard Dylan Darling celebrates after a big defensive play during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against UConn, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in New York. St. John’s forward Dillon Mitchell celebrates with fans during the closing seconds of an NCAA college basketball game against UConn, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in New York. St. John’s forward Dillon Mitchell celebrates with fans during the closing seconds of an NCAA college basketball game against UConn, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in New York. St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino paces the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against UConn, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in New York. St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino paces the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against UConn, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in New York. UConn head coach Dan Hurley calls a play during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against St. John’s, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in New York. UConn head coach Dan Hurley calls a play during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against St. John’s, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in New York. NEW YORK — With an impressive performance at a pulsating Madison Square Garden, No. 22 St. John’s showed everyone that third-ranked UConn has a legitimate challenger in the Big East this season. “We made a lot of big plays tonight, a lot of big plays, and I’m proud of our guys for just not panicking one bit at any point in the game,” Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino said. In the first showdown of the year between the Big East’s top two teams, Dillon Mitchell added 15 points and Bryce Hopkins scored 14 for the Red Storm , who have won nine straight and 14 of 16. They moved within a half-game of the first-place Huskies in the conference standings.When it was over, a pumped-up Ejiofor went over to the St. John’s student section to celebrate. The senior forward, the Big East preseason player of the year, also provided three blocks and two steals in a virtuoso performance. “Just an all-around great atmosphere to play basketball. Friday night, MSG, great opponent, and, like Coach said, we had more of a home crowd than we thought, and the student crowd was engaged,” Ejiofor said. “All the emotions really just flew out.” Silas Demary Jr. had 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists for UConn, but the junior point guard committed nine of his team’s 15 turnovers in a matchup between the past two Big East champions. “It was Great Adventure. It was a roller-coaster ride. I mean, it really was. He had some incredible plays,” Huskies coach Dan Hurley said. “We were too loose with the ball.” Alex Karaban scored 17 for Connecticut before a sold-out crowd of 19,812 filled with roaring fans of both teams — but decidedly in favor of the Johnnies. “I thought The Garden was as good as I’ve seen it,” Pitino said. “I thought it was unbelievable how good The Garden was. ... Tremendous crowd.”St. John’s went 22 for 31 at the free-throw line, while the Huskies were 5 of 12. “They’re grown men,” Hurley said about the St. John’s frontcourt, using a profanity for emphasis. “They’re built for Big East games.” UConn’s only other defeat this season came on Nov. 19 at home, 71-67 to undefeated Arizona, now the top-ranked team in the country.“We’ve had an unbelievable run,” Hurley said. “We haven’t lost in months.” UConn shot 55% from the field, including 9 for 19 on 3-pointers, and held the Johnnies to 5 of 19 from beyond the arc. Hurley, however, said his team collapsed on defense in the second half and he thought his bench “was skittish a little bit.” St. John’s reeled off a 10-0 spurt, capped by a 3 from Hopkins, to open a 55-45 lead with 13 minutes remaining. After trailing by 11, the Huskies responded quickly and cut it to 64-63 on a 3-pointer by Demary with 5:35 left. But the Johnnies maintained their slim lead until a step-back 3 by Dylan Darling and a basket inside from Ejiofor made it 74-67 with 2:25 to play. UConn never got closer than four the rest of the way, and Mitchell’s acrobatic tip-in helped the Red Storm hang on.“It was a really passionate game. It was a meaningful game. We knew exactly what we’re playing for,” Ejiofor said. “Our preparation leading up to this game was as great as it’s been. ... We were able to lock in for a full 40 minutes and grind it out, do whatever it takes to win each and every possession.” It was the first time the schools squared off at The Garden with both ranked in the AP Top 25 since St. John’s won the 2000 Big East Tournament championship game.“I’m certainly going to celebrate tonight,” Pitino said. “We’ve just got to keep it going and try and get better. ... What Bryce, Dillon and Zuby are doing in the frontcourt, it’s pretty special.”
Zuby Ejiofor Rick Pitino Dillon Mitchell Roy Williams Big East Conference St. Johns Red Storm College Sports Connecticut Huskies College Basketball Mens College Basketball Basketball Connecticut Huskies Mens Basketball CT State Wire Send To Apple News New York City Connecticut New York Dylan Darling Sports St. Johns Alex Karaban Saint Johns Dan Hurley
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
St. John's braces for major measuring stick with first UConn showdown: 'Different electricity'Five months ago, the Big East schedule was released, and two dates were circled. Feb. 6 and Feb. 25 — when St. John’s and Connecticut would meet.
Read more »
2025-26 College Baksetball Odds: Back UConn Huskies Over St. John's Red StormWill Hill is backing UConn when it faces St. John’s Friday on FOX. Find out why he's taking the Huskies.
Read more »
St. John's-UConn tickets going for as high as $3KThe St. John’s-Connecticut game is an expensive ticket. Prices for Friday night’s showdown at the Garden are through the proverbial roof.
Read more »
Epic St. John's-UConn showdown is NYC basketball clash of the year — so farAll of it has been leading up to Friday.
Read more »
St. John's vs. UConn prediction: Odds, picks, best bet for Big East showdown FridaySt. John’s is a slight underdog against UConn at Madison Square Garden on Friday night.
Read more »
St. John's rolls past No. 3 UConn for statement Big East winAll of a sudden, the Big East is up for grabs.
Read more »