St. John's Holds Off Xavier in 87-82 Thriller at Madison Square Garden

St. John's University (N.Y.) improved to 19-5 on the season with a 87-82 win over Xavier at Madison Square Garden, a game that saw both teams give it their all until the final buzzer. The Red Storm's Zuby Ejiofor led the charge, scoring 25 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and dishing out 5 assists in a performance that showed his all-around skills. Ejiofor's efforts were complemented by Bryce Hopkins, who chipped in 19 points and 9 rebounds, and Dylan Darling, who added 16 points and 5 rebounds.

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to gain a significant advantage. At halftime, the score was knotted at 42-42, setting the stage for a intense second half. Xavier's Tre Carroll was a force to be reckoned with, scoring 21 points and pulling down 8 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the balanced attack of St. John's. The Musketeers also got contributions from Jovan Milicevic, who scored 13 points, and Filip Borovicanin, who had 12 points and 10 rebounds.

CHD Scout had predicted a St. John's win by 21.9 points, but the actual margin of victory was a much closer 5 points. While the prediction was correct in terms of the winner, the game was much more competitive than expected. The Red Storm's ability to hold off Xavier's late surge was a reflection of their resilience and determination.

The win was a Quadrant 3 victory for St. John's, which will help bolster their resume as they push for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. For Xavier, the loss was a Quadrant 1 defeat, which will likely have a negative impact on their tournament chances. The Musketeers, now 12-12 on the season, must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a late-season surge.

As it stands, St. John's has positioned themselves well for a tournament bid, with a strong 19-5 record and a NET ranking of 22. The Red Storm's ability to win close games, like this one against Xavier, matters in the postseason. With Ejiofor and company leading the way, St. John's is a team to watch as the season enters its final stretch.