Full Breakdown
St. John's Dominates Creighton for 13th Straight Victory
2/21/2026, 10:43:15 PM
St. John's Achieves Historic Win
On February 21, 2026, the 17th-ranked St. John's Red Storm secured an emphatic 81-52 victory over the Creighton Bluejays at Madison Square Garden, marking their 13th consecutive win—their longest winning streak in 41 years. St. John's showcased a dominant performance, leading from start to finish and holding Creighton to just 32% shooting. The Red Storm's victory improved their overall record to 22-5 and solidified their position at the top of the Big East Conference with a 15-1 record.
Key Players and Performance
Bryce Hopkins led St. John's with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Dillon Darling contributed 17 points off the bench. Zuby Ejiofor also made a significant impact, adding 15 points. The Red Storm's frontcourt, consisting of Ejiofor, Hopkins, and Dillon Mitchell, combined for 36 points, 23 rebounds, and 11 assists. St. John's defense was particularly effective, forcing Creighton into 19 turnovers and limiting their scoring opportunities.
Game Dynamics
St. John's established an early lead, going up 8-0 and maintaining control throughout the game. They executed a 25-4 run in the second half, extending their lead to 31 points. Creighton struggled offensively, failing to have any player reach double figures in scoring, with Fedor Zugic leading the Bluejays with only nine points. The Bluejays' inability to find their rhythm was evident, as they went through a stretch of 8:45 without a field goal.
Upcoming Challenges
The victory sets the stage for St. John's next challenge against the second-place UConn Huskies, scheduled for February 24, 2026. A win in this matchup would extend their winning streak to 14 games in Big East play, matching their perfect start in the 1984-85 season. Creighton, now with a record of 14-14 and 8-9 in the conference, will look to regroup as they prepare to face DePaul.
Official Statements & Responses
St. John's head coach Rick Pitino expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, highlighting their defensive tenacity and offensive efficiency. He noted, "This effort screamed a team capable of advancing deep into March." The Red Storm's strong home-court advantage and current momentum position them as formidable contenders in the upcoming postseason.
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the victory, some analysts caution that St. John's must remain focused and avoid complacency, particularly with a high-stakes game against UConn on the horizon. Critics point out that while the Red Storm's defense has been impressive, their reliance on physical play could be tested against teams with strong shooting capabilities.
Verbatim Quotes
- “TRY IT NOW This effort screamed a team capable of advancing deep into March.” — Rick Pitino, Head Coach, St. John's Red Storm
- “Creighton was put in a straitjacket, held to 37 percent shooting along with nine turnovers and that led to 12 Red Storm points.” — Analysis of St. John's defensive performance
St. John's continues to build momentum as they approach the critical final stretch of the season, with their sights set on both the Big East Championship and a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
