Dylan Darling guides St. John’s to victory against DePaul in Big East debut

Dylan Dahlin Shines in Big East Opener

Dylan Dahlin’s performance on Tuesday night revealed he still has a lot to offer, despite recent struggles. The former starting point guard played like the Big Sky Player of the Year that he once was, not the one who lost his position to Ian Jackson.

In the Big East opener against No. 22 St. John’s, Dahlin scored 17 points, hitting three 3-pointers during a 79-66 victory at Carnesecca Arena in Queens. He started off well, sinking his first two long-range attempts, which seemed to boost his confidence after previously going just 1-of-15 from beyond the arc.

While St. John’s had a solid start, building an early 18-point lead, the game got a bit shaky when DePaul managed to cut the deficit to seven points. However, St. John’s maintained control and finished strong, securing the win.

Joeson Sanon contributed 15 points and nine rebounds, while Jackson added 10 points. Zuby Ejiofor also had a notable game with nine points, seven rebounds, four blocks, and three assists. It’s worth mentioning that St. John’s (7-3) has found its footing in defending the Big East title, winning three games in a row after a rough stretch in Las Vegas.

Meanwhile, Caleb Banks led DePaul with 19 points. The first half was particularly contrasting to their previous win against Iona, where they started slow but finished strong. During this match, they surged ahead with an 18-3 run before faltering late in the half, only to be outscored 9-2 in the final minutes.

Nonetheless, St. John’s held an impressive first 20 minutes. They limited DePaul to 36 percent shooting, forced eight turnovers, and performed well on the boards. Coach Rick Pitino’s squad displayed balanced scoring, with four players netting at least six points, topped by Sanon’s eight.

Dahlin, who had previously struggled from three-point range, made his first two shots from long distance. Overall, St. John’s was 5-of-10 from behind the arc. The second half began similarly to the first, with DePaul quickly trying to gain momentum. Ejiofor received a technical foul, and that seemed to light a fire under his team. Dahlin responded with a drive and a timely three-pointer, while Ruben Prey made an impressive coast-to-coast layup.