Full Breakdown
St. John's Upsets UConn, Ending Huskies' 18-Game Winning Streak
2/7/2026, 11:30:30 PM
Historic Victory at Madison Square Garden
On February 6, 2026, No. 22 St. John's Red Storm achieved a significant milestone by defeating No. 3 UConn Huskies 81-72 at Madison Square Garden, snapping UConn's 18-game winning streak. This victory marked St. John's first win over a top-three ranked opponent since defeating No. 3 Villanova in 2021 and their first home win against a top-three team since 2011. The win also tied Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino with Roy Williams for third place in NCAA Division I history with 903 career wins.
Key Players and Performance
Zuby Ejiofor led St. John's with an impressive performance, recording 21 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. Dillon Mitchell and Bryce Hopkins contributed significantly with 15 and 14 points, respectively. The Red Storm's strategy focused on physicality and pressure, outscoring UConn in the paint 42-34 and capitalizing on 31 free-throw attempts compared to UConn's 12.
UConn's Silas Demary Jr. was the standout for the Huskies, scoring 18 points, but he also committed nine turnovers, which proved detrimental. UConn shot 55% from the field but struggled with ball security, turning the ball over 15 times, leading to 20 points for St. John's.
Game Dynamics
The game was tightly contested, with both teams exchanging leads throughout the first half, which ended in a 39-39 tie. St. John's took control in the second half, executing a 10-0 run that established a lead they would not relinquish. Despite UConn's attempts to rally, including cutting the deficit to one point late in the game, St. John's maintained their composure and closed out the victory.
Pitino emphasized the importance of his team's character, stating, "This is the best group of people, character-wise, that I've coached in my 52 years." The atmosphere at Madison Square Garden was electric, with a crowd heavily favoring St. John's, a stark contrast to previous years when UConn fans dominated.
Implications for the Big East
With this victory, St. John's improved to 18-5 overall and 11-1 in the Big East, tying UConn in the loss column at the top of the conference standings. The rematch is scheduled for February 25 in Hartford, with both teams likely vying for the regular-season title. The win also positions St. John's as a strong contender for a high seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament.
Official Statements & Responses
UConn coach Dan Hurley acknowledged the challenge posed by St. John's, stating, "They’re grown-ass men... built for Big East games." He also noted the impact of the officiating, hinting at the disparity in free-throw attempts. Pitino praised his team's resilience and the crowd's support, calling the atmosphere "unbelievable."
What's Next
St. John's will host Xavier on February 8, while UConn will face Butler on February 10. The upcoming rematch on February 25 is anticipated to be a pivotal moment in the Big East race, with both teams aiming to solidify their standings ahead of the conference tournament.
