In a thrilling encounter at Madison Square Garden on Friday night, St. John's Red Storm secured their place in the Big East Championship game for the first time in 25 years. Led by the remarkable performance of Zuby Ejiofor, who scored a career-high 33 points, the sixth-ranked Red Storm overcame a daunting 15-point deficit to defeat the No. 25 Marquette Golden Eagles with a final score of 79-63.
Ejiofor's impressive tally not only marks a personal milestone but also sets a new St. John's record for the Big East Tournament. His scoring prowess, combined with a solid rebounding effort where he pulled down nine boards, was instrumental in the Red Storm's success. The team, now boasting a record of 29-4, showcased their resilience by erasing the early deficit and dominating the latter part of the game.
In addition to Ejiofor’s standout performance, RJ Luis Jr., the Big East Player of the Year, contributed significantly with 13 points. Kadary Richmond also had a noteworthy game, recording a double-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. This collective effort underscores the Red Storm’s ability to perform under pressure, as they have now won eight straight games and 18 out of their last 19 since the beginning of the new year.
This impressive run comes in the second season under the guidance of Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino, who at 72 years old, has revitalized the program. The Red Storm are now just one victory away from clinching their fourth Big East Tournament title and their first since 2000, marking a significant turnaround for the team.
The fifth-seeded Golden Eagles, who now hold a record of 23-10, struggled against the Red Storm throughout the season, losing all three matchups. Kam Jones led Marquette with 24 points, but their inability to secure a win against St. John's in the Big East Tournament extended their record to 1-6 in postseason play against them.
As the Red Storm prepares for the championship game on Saturday night, they will face either second-seeded Creighton or the No. 3 seed UConn. With their eyes set on the title, St. John's aims to continue their historic run in this year’s Big East Tournament.
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