Full Breakdown
St. John's Opens Big East Play with Victory Over DePaul
12/17/2025, 6:42:54 AM
Game Overview and Key Performers
In their Big East opener on December 16, 2025, No. 22 St. John's Red Storm secured a 79-66 victory against the DePaul Blue Demons at Carnesecca Arena in Queens, New York. Dylan Darling, who had struggled earlier in the season, emerged as a standout performer, scoring 17 points and making three 3-pointers. This marked a significant turnaround for Darling, who had entered the game with a shooting slump, having made only one of his previous 15 attempts from beyond the arc.
St. John's built an early 18-point lead, but DePaul managed to cut the deficit to seven points during the second half. Despite this, St. John's maintained control, aided by balanced scoring from players like Joson Sanon, who contributed 15 points and nine rebounds, and Zuby Ejiofor, who added nine points, seven rebounds, and four blocks.
DePaul's Performance
DePaul's efforts were led by Kaleb Banks, who scored 19 points, marking a strong performance despite the loss. The Blue Demons had four players in double figures, including C.J. Gunn with 15 points. DePaul struggled with shooting efficiency, hitting only 36% of their shots, while St. John's capitalized on their opportunities, particularly from the free-throw line, where they converted 14 attempts in the second half.
Game Dynamics
The game began with St. John's establishing a commanding lead, thanks in part to a second-unit-ignited 18-3 run. However, the Red Storm faced challenges in the latter part of the first half, where they were outscored 9-2 in the final five minutes. The second half mirrored this pattern, as DePaul quickly narrowed the gap before St. John's regained momentum through Darling's scoring and contributions from the bench.
Official Statements & Responses
St. John's head coach Rick Pitino emphasized the importance of the victory, stating that it was crucial for building momentum as they head into a challenging schedule, including a matchup against Kentucky. He noted the team's need to improve their closing performance, particularly in managing leads.
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the victory, some analysts pointed out St. John's inconsistency, particularly in closing out halves. The team's tendency to allow opponents back into games raised concerns about their ability to maintain leads against stronger competition.
What's Next
Following this victory, St. John's (7-3, 1-0 Big East) will look to build on their success as they prepare for their next game against the fifth-ranked UConn on December 21, 2025. Meanwhile, DePaul (8-4, 0-1 Big East) will face another tough challenge against UConn, seeking to rebound from their opening loss.
