St. John's University's men's basketball team secured a significant victory over Villanova with a final score of 81-71, marking their first win on the road against Villanova since 1993. Key players Joel Soriano and Daniss Jenkins contributed 20 and 18 points respectively to the win. Under the guidance of coach Rick Pitino, the Red Storm has achieved an 11-4 record, including a 3-1 start in Big East play, their best since the 2010-11 season. Freshman Brady Dunlap also played a pivotal role, scoring 15 points. The victory is part of a series of strong performances by St. John's, which includes a recent win over Butler and a competitive game against UConn. Meanwhile, Creighton defeated #23 Providence 69-60, with Creighton's Kalkbrenner and Trey Alexander scoring 22 and 21 points, respectively, and Devin Carter of Providence contributing 25 points and 10 rebounds. Creighton opened with a -8.5 point spread but closed at -11.5.
A lot of things St. John's has done well recently, from controlling the paint to getting out in transition to limiting turnovers, it didn't do tonight. Still found a way to win. #sjubb
St. John’s holds on for a 75-73 win over Providence. Jenkins and Soriano paced the Johnnies with 16 apiece, Devin Carter had 31pts, 13rebs for Providence.
St. John’s wins a close one at home vs. Providence! https://t.co/Ar6f4ASdir
St. John's didn't win its fourth conference game until January 29th of last year. They haven't been 4-1 in league play in over two decades. They're currently tied atop the Big East standings. The Rick Pitino effect is real. And it's SPECATCULAR https://t.co/MCSk0UjuPu
Luis misses the second, Pierre’s runner cuts through the air, Providence is late on the putback. That’ll do it at the Garden, where St. John’s survives the Friars, 75-73 the final. At 4-1 in Big East play, the Red Storm is now tied with Seton Hall for the league lead. #sjubb
St. John's hangs on for the W! 🙌 @StJohnsBBall https://t.co/o9qvBFcRGP
It wasn't exactly a confidence-inspiring final minute, but St. John's hangs on to defeat Providence and move to 4-1 in Big East play. Rick Pitino is moving further from the bubble and closer to the Top 25.
St. John’s beats Providence, 75-73. Johnnies now 12-4 overall, 4-1 in Big East and have knocked off Butler, Villanova and Friars in last 3 games. Rick Pitino doesn’t have a star - but still finding a way.
Final: @StJohnsBBall 75, @PCFriarsmbb 73 St. John's and Seton Hall stand atop the Big East at 4-1 Soriano 14 of his 16 in the 2nd half to go w/ 11 boards Jenkins 16, 8 assists, 4 rebs Luis 12 and 8 boards Dunlap 10 Carter 31 and 13 Pierre 17 https://t.co/kuT1KMzgZG
St. John’s doesn’t foul, Carter takes 13 seconds before splitting the seam for a layup. Providence within one, and Rick’s taking his last timeout to draw up the defense with 9.8 seconds left. The Red Storm will almost certainly be fouled right away here, up 74-73. #sjubb #pcbb
It hasn’t been pretty at all, but St. John’s holding on to a 7pt lead over Providence with 3:40 to play. Daniss Jenkins has been steady for the Johnnies as usual, while Devin Carter is keeping Providence in shouting distance.
Brady Dunlap is limping. St. John's clinging to a six-point lead with 3:40 to go. #sjubb
They’re going down the stretch with both teams shooting two the rest of the way, starting with St. John’s on the other side of the U4. It’s a seven-point game at this juncture, with the Red Storm trying to guide its 66-59 cushion to the finish over Providence. #sjubb #pcbb
That’s a 13-2 run for St. John’s since Providence took the lead, punctuated by another DJ three to stretch the lead back to 10. It’s English’s turn to talk now, down by a 57-47 count with 9:24 left on the clock. #sjubb #pcbb
Work it inside to Soriano more often. It’s not that hard. Josh Oduro now has THREE fouls for Providence, the last of which just triggered the U12. St. John’s has battled back after losing the lead, regaining it by a 50-47 tally over the Friars with 11:36 on the clock. #sjubb
St. John’s opened the game on a 20-5 run. It now trails Providence, 45-44. #sjubb #pcbb
St. John's could've buried Providence in the first half. Let them hang around. Now it's a game. #sjubb
HALF: SJU 40 PC 29 Friars never recover from 9-0 start, Storm shoot57% FG Devin Carter only 6 shots, 8 points. Jayden Pierre leads with 12 pts. PC 3-of-11 from downtown
Providence spent the majority of the last 5-6 minutes trying to stay within single digits, only for St. John’s to answer back and make the margin 11 points at the horn. Feels insurmountable with the Red Storm’s talent and athletic edges. After 20: Johnnies 40, Friars 29. #sjubb
St. John's leads Providence 40-29 at the half. Combined 20 for Dingle and Jenkins on 8-of-13 shooting. #sjubb is up 13-0 in bench points.
Pitino has gone 10-deep and St. John’s is a step ahead of Providence, but this could be something to monitor as the night goes on. As it stands now, St. John’s holds a 33-23 advantage on Providence. #sjubb #pcbb https://t.co/BbZLWS7cfa
Both teams have cooled off since the last stoppage, but St. John’s still has a firm hold on this game as the end of the first half draws nearer. Carter is fighting for Providence with six points and six rebounds, and with 7:38 left in the first half, the Red Storm leads, 24-15.
Brady Dunlap is outscoring Providence with 11:58 remaining in the opening stanza. Daniss Jenkins has matched the Friars in the early going. It’s still all St. John’s tonight, having made eight of eleven and four of five from behind the line, up by a 20-6 count. #sjubb #pcbb
Chris Ledlum checks in. St. John's is rolling up, 17-5. #sjubb
Dunlap gets the benefit of the doubt on his long two back at the start, retroactively ruled a three. He’s got seven now, and St. John’s has a 14-5 lead after the review. #sjubb
St. John's off and running. Brady Dunlap has hit three jumpers. 9-0. Early timeout for Providence. #sjubb
Off and running on 33rd and 8th, where St. John’s, to borrow a line from @sportsmatters, lands the leather and sees Brady Dunlap pick up right where he left off last week with a beautiful jumper from the foul line, followed by a DJ THREEEEEE (hi @JPGuerette!) to go up 5-0. #sjubb https://t.co/8lbxRDZrHM
From out of the rotation to into the starting lineup. Freshman wing Brady Dunlap has suddenly become a key part of this St. John’s team. STORY: https://t.co/2R4ueAbH1S #sjubb
Creighton beats #23 Providence at home, 69-60. Creighton opened -8.5 (Win) but closed at -11.5 (Loss).
Creighton beats No. 23 Providence! https://t.co/praGRsnjt7
Creighton 69 PC 60 Friars fall behind by 18, cut to 1 but can't get over the top. Need more offensive answers (37% FG) Devin Carter 25, 10 rebs. Kalkbrenner 22, Trey Alexander 21
St. John's-Seton Hall Big East championship game? #sjubb #shbb
Friars hanging in with stout D, Jays just 6-17 FG this half, really bogged down for the last 8 minutes. English rolls dice with no Carter/Oduro for last few minutes and both teams can't score. Creighton 52 PC 44, 7:29 left
St. John's goes on the road and destroys Villanova, this a few days after destroying a good Butler at home. Also, could've beaten UConn in Hartford before Christmas. It took all of three months, but: Rick Pitino and St. John's are officially a F***ING PROBLEM for the Big East
St. John's just beat Villanova for the first time on the road since 1993. @StJohnsBBall is now 3-1 in @BIGEASTMBB play and they haven't been 3-1 (or better) in Big East play since 2010-11. https://t.co/wVTROPbt59
St. John's beats Villanova, 81-71. First win here since 1993. Joel Soriano with 20 and 8. Daniss Jenkins 18 and 5. #sjubb off to best start in league at 3-1 since the 2010-11 season under Steve Lavin.
Convincing win for St. John’s at Villanova. Rick Pitino has our Johnnies at 11-4, 3-1 in Big East play. Quite a turnaround in Year One.
Friars getting mid-range looks, passing them up and taking it to rim where lack of size/Kalkbrenner awaits Creighton pulling away, 46-30
St. John’s wins at Villanova, 81-71 Red Storm is 11-4, 3-1 Big East under Rick Pitino Freshman Brady Dunlap, 15 points for @StJohnsBBall https://t.co/71nE9PmHXy
Biggest shot of this game was the Brady Dunlap 3 as the shot clock expired. Lead was down to seven. St. John's was wobbling. Game was never in doubt after. #sjubb
I'm not sure who's coaching St. John's, but it looks like he knows what he's doing. Johnnies have been all over Villanova today. Lead by 12 at the under four second half.
St. John's up SEVENTEEN at Villanova in the second half.
Friars down 3, 6:50 to go in the 1st half Providence - 24 Creighton - 27 Ticket Gaines (10pts) drills his second 3⃣ https://t.co/nnhzl7yjGH
St. John's leads by 13 with 7:42 to go. Would be a massive win. #sjubb
Start to second half is really big. Villanova has momentum. St. John's needs to push lead back into double figures. #sjubb
St. John's leads Villanova, 34-28, at the half. Led by as many as 15. #sjubb
St. John's off and running, out to a 12-3 lead at the first timeout. #sjubb