In a monumental upset, St. John's took down No. 6 Connecticut 81-72 at Madison Square Garden, sending shockwaves through the college basketball world. The Red Storm, led by Zuby Ejiofor's impressive 21-point, 10-rebound, and 7-assist performance, dominated the Huskies in the second half to secure a crucial Quad 1 victory. This win will undoubtedly boost St. John's tournament resume, while UConn's loss may raise some concerns about their seeding.
The game was tightly contested in the first half, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to gain a significant advantage. St. John's held a slim 39-39 lead at halftime, but it was clear that the Red Storm were poised to make a statement. Ejiofor, along with teammates Dillon Mitchell and Bryce Hopkins, who added 15 and 14 points respectively, formed a formidable trio that UConn struggled to contain. On the other side, Silas Demary Jr. was outstanding for the Huskies, scoring 18 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and dishing out 5 assists, but it wasn't enough to overcome the balanced attack of St. John's.
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The second half saw St. John's pull away, outscoring UConn 42-33 and building a lead that the Huskies couldn't overcome. The Red Storm's victory was all the more impressive given that CHD Scout had predicted a narrow St. John's win by just 0.8 points. In reality, St. John's won by a comfortable 9-point margin, exceeding expectations and solidifying their position as a tournament contender.
This upset win is a significant statement for St. John's, who improve to 18-5 on the season. The Red Storm have now notched a Quad 1 victory, which will undoubtedly enhance their NCAA tournament chances. For UConn, the loss drops them to 22-2, but it's worth noting that this was also a Quad 1 game for the Huskies, which will help mitigate the damage to their resume. However, UConn must regroup and refocus to avoid another slip-up, as they continue to chase a top seed in the tournament.
The implications of this result are substantial, as St. John's has now inserted themselves into the conversation as a potential tournament sleeper. With Ejiofor and company leading the charge, the Red Storm have the talent and depth to make a deep run in the postseason. Meanwhile, UConn want to bounce back from this setback and reaffirm their position as one of the nation's top teams. As the season enters its final stretch, this upset win will be a crucial factor in shaping the tournament landscape, and St. John's has firmly established themselves as a team to watch.