The second time around in facing a basketball team is always a challenge, especially when going against an Xavier team that played well when in Ohio saw a close 88-83 victory for the Red Storm.
With the scene set to Madison Square Garden and a rocking crowd ready to see how the guys continue momentum after an incredible victory against UConn and being now ranked 17/17.
It was a chess match between Father and Son Coaches, and at the end of the game it was Coach Rick and the Red Storm playing to a 87-82 OT victory.
After the game Coach Rick said that there were many keys to the victory, including the play of Bryce Hopkins that was a gigantic part of the team’s 10th straight victory.
To show how close of a game it was the night featured 15 ties and 15 lead changes, as the crowd that was within the World’s Most Famous Arena was held on the edge of the seat for the entire night.
In a incredible moment with the victory against Xavier Coach Rick was able to gain his 904th victory and is now in third place in the NCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball wins list. The only two names above him are Jim Boeheim (1,112) and Mike Krzyzewski (1,202).
It was in the first game against Xavier and the win on January 24 that got Coach to the 900th plateau.
Fans are encouraged to view our photo gallery from the game…by 1495Sports:
After the game though for Coach it wasn’t about the milestone though, it was more about getting his team to continue to play well in the BIG EAST Conference and seeing his son Richard develop into being the Coach that stood on the sidelines and made the game on 2/9/26 one that would be considered a BIG EAST Conference Playoff caliber performance.
Fans are encouraged to view the following videos from after the St. John’s Victory:
Xavier fans are encouraged to view these thoughts from Head Coach Richard Pitino shares these thoughts:
St. John’s fans are encouraged to enjoy the following thoughts from Head Coach Rick Pitino along with Guard Dylan Darling:
Getting back to the game itself though, some of the impressive performances came from Zuby Ejofor with his game-high 25 points, seven rebounds and five assist. Earlier in the day Zuby was named as the NCAA March Madness National Player of the Week.
As for Bryce, his transformation into being someone to watch for on the Red Storm continues on a positive momentum, in addition to some of the highlight reel plays he was able to score 19 points, having an 81.8 percent (9-11 FT) from the charity stripe, along with nine rebounds.
Rounding the scoring was Dylan Darling with his 16 points and Dillon Mitchell contributed with his 12 rebounds.
As the guys are quickly approaching the later parts of Feburary and the time when they get to see team’s for a second time, it is all now just a matter of how to continue to navigate the BIG EAST Conference Schedule and show why they are going to be the team to beat in the Conference.
Next for the guys are going to be two road trips before returning to Madison Square Garden to host Creighton on February 21 with that game scheduled for 12pm.
For more information on the St. John’s Men’s Basketball team fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here:
St. John’s University Athletics – Official Athletics Website