Full Breakdown
St. John's Basketball Bounces Back with Dominant Win Over Baylor
11/26/2025, 1:50:03 PM
Resilience After Adversity
The St. John's Red Storm men's basketball team demonstrated resilience following a narrow defeat to the Iowa State Cyclones, bouncing back with a commanding 96-81 victory over the Baylor Bears during the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. This win marked a significant turnaround for St. John's, who had suffered an 83-82 loss to Iowa State just a day prior. Head coach Rick Pitino emphasized the emotional impact of the previous loss, stating, “What I enjoyed the most last night was the devastation in the eyes of our players,” highlighting the motivation that fueled their performance against Baylor.
Game Highlights and Performance
St. John's started strong, establishing a 21-6 lead early in the game, largely thanks to Oziyah Sellers, who scored 22 points, including five three-pointers. Bryce Hopkins led the team with 26 points, showcasing a balanced offensive attack as the Red Storm shot 57.4% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. The team’s offensive efficiency was complemented by improved defensive efforts, limiting Baylor to 37.2% shooting overall and 32% from three-point range.
Despite their offensive success, St. John's struggled with rebounding, allowing Baylor to secure 26 offensive rebounds, resulting in 21 second-chance points. This trend of poor rebounding had been a concern for Pitino, who noted, “We take the loss because we couldn’t come up with the rebounds,” after the Iowa State game.
Official Statements & Responses
Following the victory, Pitino praised his players for their focus and determination, stating, “They were so dialed in,” during their preparation for the game. He had urged Sellers and Hopkins to be more aggressive in their shooting, a directive that clearly resonated as both players delivered standout performances. Sellers reflected on the team's mindset, indicating that they were determined to avoid the same feelings of disappointment experienced against Iowa State.
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the win, concerns about St. John's rebounding persist. Critics point out that while the offensive performance was impressive, the inability to secure defensive rebounds could pose challenges in future matchups, especially against teams with strong frontcourts. Pitino acknowledged this issue, stating, “It’s just something we’re capable of doing a better job at, and I know they’re hungry.”
What's Next
St. John's will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for their next game in the Players Era Festival, with an opponent yet to be determined. The Red Storm's performance against Baylor has set a positive tone for the remainder of the tournament, as they aim to solidify their identity as a competitive team under Pitino's leadership.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I think what I enjoyed the most last night was the devastation in the eyes of our players,” — Rick Pitino, Head Coach
- “We had to do something about it,” — Bryce Hopkins, Forward
- “It was a good bounce back game off a devastating loss for us,” — Rick Pitino, Head Coach
- “I haven’t begged very often about players shooting the ball, but I begged [Hopkins and Sellers] to take more shots, and they did tonight. They were both brilliant,” — Rick Pitino, Head Coach
- “I think this team has potential to be a good team as we grow, but they’re new to each other. We see a lot of mistakes by being new to each other.” — Rick Pitino, Head Coach
St. John's victory over Baylor not only serves as a testament to their resilience but also highlights areas for improvement as they continue their season.
