Full Breakdown
St. John's Advances to Big East Championship After Defeating Seton Hall
3/15/2026, 3:13:54 AM
St. John's Semifinal Victory
No. 13 St. John's secured a spot in the Big East Tournament final with a 78-68 victory over fourth-seeded Seton Hall at Madison Square Garden. The Red Storm, led by Big East Player of the Year Zuby Ejiofor, who scored 20 points, never trailed in the game. St. John's opened with an 8-0 run and maintained control, leading by as much as 19 points in the second half. However, Seton Hall mounted a late comeback, narrowing the gap to six points with under five minutes remaining. St. John's responded with critical plays from Ejiofor and Bryce Hopkins, who contributed six free throws in the final minutes to secure the win.
Key Performances and Statistics
In addition to Ejiofor's performance, Hopkins added 13 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, while Dillon Mitchell also contributed 13 points and six rebounds. The Red Storm dominated the paint, scoring 40 points inside and capitalizing on their rebounding advantage, finishing with 40 rebounds compared to Seton Hall's 30. Despite committing 13 turnovers, St. John's managed to maintain their lead through effective defense and timely scoring.
Background and Context
St. John's has been a dominant force in the Big East, having won the regular-season title for the second consecutive year with an 18-2 conference record. Under Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino, the program has shown significant improvement, reaching the semifinals in all three seasons since his arrival. This victory marks the 2,000th win in the program's history and sets the stage for a rematch against No. 6 UConn in the championship game.
Upcoming Championship Matchup
The championship game will feature St. John's facing UConn, who advanced after defeating Georgetown 67-51. The two teams split their regular-season matchups, with St. John's winning the first game 81-72 and UConn responding with a decisive 72-40 victory in their second encounter. This final is particularly significant as it marks the first time since 2000 that two of the conference's charter members will compete for the title.
Official Statements & Responses
Coach Rick Pitino expressed pride in his team's resilience, stating, "We bent a little bit down the stretch after playing great basketball, but we never broke." He acknowledged Seton Hall's intensity and the challenge they presented. Ejiofor emphasized the team's focus, saying, "I live for these moments, having the opportunity to win and advance."
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the victory, there were moments of concern for St. John's, particularly their late-game sloppiness that allowed Seton Hall to close the gap. Critics may point to the need for improved ball security and composure in high-pressure situations as the team prepares for the championship.
What's Next
St. John's will face UConn in the Big East Championship on Saturday night, aiming to win back-to-back tournament titles for the first time in school history. The matchup promises to be highly competitive, with both teams eager to claim the championship and solidify their legacies in the conference.
