St. John's Overcomes Seton Hall in Thrilling Comeback Victory

On January 20, 2026, the St. John's Red Storm staged a remarkable comeback against the Seton Hall Pirates, overcoming a 15-point deficit to secure a 65-60 victory at Madison Square Garden. This win marked St. John's fifth consecutive triumph, improving their record to 14-5 overall and 7-1 in the Big East Conference. The victory also tied Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino with Bob Knight for fourth place on the all-time Division I coaching wins list, with 899 career victories.

St. John’s Faces Seton Hall in Men’s Basketball Showdown

Seton Hall, entering the game with a 14-5 record and 4-4 in the Big East, initially dominated the contest. The Pirates led 38-32 at halftime and extended their lead to 47-32 early in the second half. However, St. John's responded with a fierce defensive effort, limiting Seton Hall to just 28% shooting in the second half. Dillon Mitchell led the Red Storm with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Bryce Hopkins contributed 13 points and eight rebounds. The Red Storm's comeback was fueled by a 33-13 run over the final 16 minutes of the game.

Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLMSt. John's basketball overcomes 15-point second half deficit to beat Seton HallSt. John’s men’s basketball overcomes 15-point second half deficit to best Seton HallSt. John’s erases 15-point second-half deficit to stun Seton Hall, extend season-long winning streak

The game featured intense physicality, with both teams exchanging blows early on. Seton Hall's Stephon Payne III had a standout performance, finishing with 13 points and 15 rebounds, but the Pirates struggled with free throws, shooting only 55% (11-for-20) from the line. In contrast, St. John's capitalized on their opportunities, converting 70% (21-for-30) of their free throws.

Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM

The turning point came when Mitchell scored a layup with 4:53 remaining, giving St. John's a 55-54 lead, which they would not relinquish. Dylan Darling's defensive play, including a crucial steal and subsequent layup, extended the lead to five points in the closing moments.

St. John’s men’s basketball overcomes 15-point second half deficit to best Seton Hall

Rick Pitino expressed his pride in the team's resilience, stating, "Without question, this is my favorite game of the season... when you’re down 15 to a team like Seton Hall and you come back... you really wanted to win this game." Seton Hall coach Shaheen Holloway acknowledged the shift in momentum, saying, "They started imposing their will... we had to get a couple of guys a quick blow because guys were cramping."

St. John's uses 33-13 run to beat Seton Hall, earn 5th straight win

Despite the victory, St. John's faced challenges throughout the game, particularly in the first half where they struggled offensively. Critics noted that the Red Storm's performance was not their best, as they shot only 35.6% from the field overall. Seton Hall's inability to maintain their early momentum and poor free-throw shooting were also highlighted as critical factors in their loss.

St. John’s men’s basketball overcomes 15-point second half deficit to best Seton Hall

St. John's will look to extend their winning streak to six games when they face the Xavier Musketeers, coached by Rick Pitino's son, Richard Pitino, on January 24, 2026. Meanwhile, Seton Hall will aim to rebound from their third consecutive loss when they travel to face the DePaul Blue Demons on January 24.

Seton Hall vs. St. John’s: Where, When, TV, Streaming, Betting Odds, and Starting Lineups

This thrilling matchup not only showcased the competitive spirit of both teams but also underscored the evolving narrative of St. John's season as they continue to build momentum in the Big East.

St. John’s Faces Seton Hall in Men’s Basketball Showdown