Full Breakdown
Dylan Darling's Buzzer-Beater Sends St. John's to Sweet 16
3/23/2026, 8:03:22 AM
Dramatic Finish Secures Historic Victory
In a thrilling conclusion to their second-round NCAA Tournament game, the St. John's Red Storm defeated the Kansas Jayhawks 67-65, marking their first Sweet 16 appearance since 1999. The decisive moment came from guard Dylan Darling, who scored his only points of the game with a buzzer-beating layup after being scoreless for the entire match. With just 3.9 seconds left on the clock, Darling took an inbounds pass and drove past Kansas defender Elmarko Jackson to make the winning shot, igniting celebrations among teammates and fans alike at Viejas Arena in San Diego.
The Final Play
The final play was initiated by Darling himself, who requested St. John's head coach Rick Pitino to run a play called "power," a high back-screen pick-and-roll. Despite Darling's lack of scoring throughout the game—he had missed all four of his previous shots—Pitino acquiesced to his request. "I walk away and think, 'wait a second, he hasn't scored a bucket, and he wants to run a play for himself?'" Pitino recounted, highlighting the unusual nature of the moment. Darling's determination paid off as he executed the play flawlessly, finishing with a right-handed layup just as time expired.
Game Dynamics
St. John's initially held a commanding 14-point lead in the second half, but Kansas mounted a comeback, tying the game at 65-65 with 13 seconds remaining after Darryn Peterson sank two free throws. Kansas employed a strategy of committing four fouls to drain the clock, leaving Darling with limited time to make a play. The Red Storm's defense was instrumental throughout the game, forcing Kansas into 16 turnovers, which ultimately contributed to their victory despite subpar shooting performances from both teams.
Key Performers
While Darling's buzzer-beater was the highlight, Zuby Ejiofor and Bryce Hopkins each contributed significantly to the Red Storm's success, scoring 18 points apiece. Kansas's Peterson led his team with 21 points, but the Jayhawks struggled with turnovers and missed opportunities, which hindered their chances of advancing.
Official Statements & Responses
Postgame, Pitino expressed pride in Darling's courage to take the final shot despite his earlier struggles, stating, "Real proud of him because to want the ball when you haven't made a shot is unbelievable." Darling, reflecting on his performance, humbly remarked, "I probably don't deserve this. I was pretty bad all night long, but my teammates held it down tonight."
What's Next
With this victory, St. John's advances to face the top-seeded Duke Blue Devils in the Sweet 16, scheduled for March 27 in Washington, D.C. The matchup promises to be a significant test for the Red Storm as they continue their remarkable resurgence under Pitino's leadership.
Verbatim Quotes
- “And not only did he do it, he went with his right hand.” — Rick Pitino, Head Coach, St. John's
- “I probably don’t deserve this. I was pretty bad all night long.” — Dylan Darling, Guard, St. John's
- “This is the amazing thing, and the funniest thing I've ever been involved with,” — Rick Pitino, Head Coach, St. John's
This victory not only highlights the resilience of the St. John's team but also cements Darling's place in NCAA Tournament history as the first player to score his first points of the game on a buzzer-beater.
