St. John's University (N.Y.) traveled to the Cintas Center and came away with a hard-fought 88-83 victory over Xavier, solidifying their position as a top contender in the college basketball landscape. The Red Storm's win was fueled by a balanced attack, with Bryce Hopkins leading the charge with 18 points and 8 rebounds. This performance was a key factor in St. John's outscoring Xavier 51-34 in the second half, overcoming a 12-point deficit at the break.
Tre Carroll was the standout performer for Xavier, pouring in 31 points in a valiant effort to keep his team ahead. However, the Musketeers' inability to contain St. John's in the second half ultimately was their downfall. The Red Storm's Dillon Mitchell and Ian Jackson also made significant contributions, scoring 17 and 16 points, respectively, to complement Hopkins' impressive outing.
CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had St. John's winning by 7.2 points, and while the actual margin was slightly narrower at 5 points, the predicted winner was correct. This win was a reflection of St. John's resilience and ability to adapt to different opponents and environments.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with Xavier taking a 49-37 lead into halftime. However, St. John's came out strong in the second half, using a combination of tough defense and clutch shooting to take control of the game. The Red Storm's ability to outscore Xavier by 17 points in the second half was a decisive factor in their victory.
This win has real consequences for St. John's tournament resume, as it counts as a Quadrant 2 win. Meanwhile, Xavier's loss will be recorded as a Quadrant 1 defeat, which could impact their own postseason chances. With a current NET ranking of 23, St. John's continues to build a strong case for a high seed in the NCAA tournament. On the other hand, Xavier's NET ranking of 94 leaves them with work to do to secure a spot in the field.
The outcome of this game reinforces St. John's position as a formidable opponent, capable of competing with and beating tough teams on the road. As the season progresses, the Red Storm want to continue their strong play and make a deep run in the tournament. For Xavier, the loss serves as a reminder of the challenges they face in their pursuit of a postseason berth.