St. John’s Triumphs Over Georgetown in New Year’s Eve Matchup
In Washington, Zuby Ejiofor rallied his teammates not just with words but with decisive action on the court. As one of the tri-captains, he played a crucial role in keeping St. John’s competitive early in the game, leading them to a solid 95-83 win over Georgetown.
Ejiofor’s standout performance was a driving force, showcasing his abilities even when the team struggled to gain momentum. He tallied 25 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and two steals, effectively guiding the team to their first New Year’s Eve victory since 1960. They hadn’t managed to win this matchup since 2008, adding additional significance to the win.
During the game, a foul issue might have hindered Ejiofor from earning his first career triple-double, but his contributions were still vital. Reflecting on his leadership, he expressed gratitude to his teammates and coaching staff for their belief in him. “I always take pride in being a leader for my fellow members,” he remarked.
Ejiofor’s efforts marked his first game of the season scoring 20 points since late November. He found himself matched up against Georgetown’s big man, Julius Halifonua, who struggled to make an impact, ending the game scoreless in 12 minutes.
In a shift of strategy, the team focused on getting the ball to Ejiofor more, which not only allowed him to shine but opened up opportunities for other players. Coach Rick Pitino noted that feeding Ejiofor consistently led to great plays, freeing up shooters and creating more scoring chances.
Georgetown couldn’t keep up with Ejiofor’s intensity, allowing St. John’s to exploit open looks from beyond the arc. Ojia Sellers was among those who took advantage, contributing 16 points, hitting four 3-pointers as the team set a season-high with 15 three-pointers made.
Along with Sellers, Ian Jackson (14 points), Joeson Sanon (13 points), and Dylan Darling (11 points) all joined in the scoring. Although Bryce Hopkins wasn’t heavy on the scoreboard, he excelled in other areas with 10 rebounds, six assists, and two blocks, crucially helping his team turn a significant deficit into a lead by halftime.
While Georgetown managed to score quickly early on, St. John’s tightened their defense towards the end of the first half, restricting them to just nine points as the game progressed. St. John’s maintained a shooting percentage of 50%, securing 23 second-chance points, further illustrating their dominance over a rival they’ve now bested for the tenth consecutive time.
KJ Lewis led Georgetown with 27 points but struggled with turnovers, providing St. John’s an opportunity to capitalize. As the new year approaches, Coach Ejiofor acknowledged that while the performance wasn’t revolutionary, it laid a foundation for improvement as conference play goes on. “Time will tell. I think I’ve definitely stepped up,” he commented, reflecting on the team’s capability of building on this momentum.
