Full Breakdown
Rick Pitino Achieves Milestone Victory Against Son in Overtime Thriller
2/10/2026, 6:06:35 PM
Historic Win at Madison Square Garden
On February 9, 2026, Rick Pitino, head coach of the St. John's Red Storm, achieved a significant milestone by securing his 904th career victory, surpassing Roy Williams to claim third place on the NCAA Division I men's basketball all-time wins list. The milestone came during a hard-fought 87-82 overtime victory against Xavier, coached by his son, Richard Pitino. This match marked the second time in 17 days that Rick faced off against his son, having previously won 88-83 at Xavier for his 900th win.
Game Overview
The game was tightly contested, featuring 15 ties and 15 lead changes. Zuby Ejiofor led St. John's with 25 points, including six crucial points in overtime. Bryce Hopkins contributed 19 points and nine rebounds, while Dylan Darling added 16 points off the bench. The Red Storm improved to 19-5 overall and 12-1 in the Big East, tying with No. 6 UConn for the conference lead.
Xavier, now 12-12 and 4-9 in the Big East, was led by Tre Carroll, who scored 21 points and surpassed 1,000 career points during the game. Despite a strong performance, the Musketeers struggled with foul trouble, resulting in three players fouling out in overtime. St. John's capitalized on this advantage, outscoring Xavier 28-9 from the free-throw line.
Key Moments and Statistics
The game was characterized by a dramatic finish. With 16 seconds left in regulation, Oziyah Sellers tipped in a missed shot to tie the game at 78, forcing overtime. In the extra period, St. John's managed to control the pace, outscoring Xavier 9-4. The Red Storm's free-throw shooting was a decisive factor, as they converted 28 of 41 attempts, while Xavier made only 9 of 17.
Rick Pitino acknowledged the challenge posed by his son's team, stating, "In two games against them, [Richard] totally outcoached me... They executed." Richard Pitino expressed pride in his team's effort despite the loss, emphasizing the impact of the free-throw discrepancy.
Implications of the Victory
This victory not only solidified Rick Pitino's legacy but also positioned St. John's as a strong contender in the Big East. The Red Storm's current winning streak of 10 games marks their third such streak under Rick Pitino's leadership. The team is now preparing for an upcoming matchup against Providence, aiming to maintain their momentum in the conference.
Official Statements & Responses
Rick Pitino reflected on the significance of the win against his son, saying, "I hate getting any milestone against him — but I go away tonight saying my son’s a hell of a coach." Richard Pitino, while disappointed, noted, "We had a chance to win it... but you can’t have 28 free throws to nine and think you’re going to win the game."
What's Next
St. John's will face Providence in their next game, while Xavier looks to regroup against Marquette. Both teams are navigating the competitive landscape of the Big East, with St. John's aiming for a top seed in the upcoming conference tournament.
