St. John's University (N.Y.) traveled to the Xfinity Mobile Arena and came away with a hard-fought 86-79 win over Villanova, thanks to a well-rounded performance from their roster. The Red Storm's victory was fueled by a strong second-half surge, where they outscored the Wildcats 50-44. Bryce Hopkins led the charge for St. John's, posting 20 points and 6 rebounds, while Ian Jackson and Zuby Ejiofor chipped in with 18 and 17 points, respectively.
Villanova, meanwhile, was paced by Tyler Perkins, who scored 23 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. Devin Askew added 21 points for the Wildcats, but it wasn't enough to overcome the balanced attack of St. John's. The Red Storm's ability to spread the scoring wealth and limit Villanova's supporting cast was the difference-maker in the contest.
At halftime, St. John's held a slim 36-35 lead, setting the stage for a back-and-forth second half. The Red Storm's offense caught fire, with Hopkins and Jackson leading the charge. Villanova struggled to keep pace, despite Perkins' best efforts. The Wildcats' inability to contain St. John's' attacking trio ultimately sealed their fate.
The win is a significant one for St. John's, as it adds another quality victory to their resume. With both teams entering the contest with identical 15-5 records, the outcome had real consequences for their tournament chances. St. John's' victory will likely bolster their standing in the eyes of the selection committee, particularly given that this matchup was classified as a Quadrant 1 game for both teams.
The loss, on the other hand, will be a tough pill for Villanova to swallow. Despite the setback, the Wildcats' strong overall record and NET ranking of 34 should keep them firmly in the tournament conversation. However, they must regroup and refocus in order to maintain their position in the competitive landscape of college basketball.
As the season enters its critical stretch, St. John's' win over Villanova serves as a reflection of their strength and depth. With a NET ranking of 25, the Red Storm are well-positioned to make a push for a high seed in the tournament. This victory will undoubtedly be a key factor in their resume, and they want to build on this momentum as they navigate the remainder of their schedule. For Villanova, the loss is a reminder that there is still work to be done, but their overall body of work should keep them in the tournament mix.