CINCINNATI — Key Play in St. John’s Comeback Victory
Zuby Ejiofor fouled out during the game, leading to Dylan Darling stepping in as his replacement.
The backup point guard made a significant impact, contributing to St. John’s comeback win. Following the victory over Seton Hall, Darling scored five points, which included a crucial 3-pointer that put St. John’s ahead with just 1:20 remaining in their 88-83 match against Xavier.
“He has a ball as big as a church bell,” commented coach Rick Pitino. “That’s unbelievable.”
This win was notable for Coach Pitino as it marked his 900th victory in a remarkable coaching career. Darling notably scored all 11 of his points in the second half, helping his team bounce back from a 16-point deficit to claim their sixth consecutive win.
Since December 13, after a game against Iona where he played only eight minutes, Darling has shown dramatic improvement. After that particular game, he and Pitino focused on refining the arc of his jump shot. Since then, he has made an impressive 15-of-27 attempts from beyond the arc, displaying an increased level of confidence.
“I have a really great coach who believes in me and challenges me to be better every day, and he’s helping me grow,” Darling remarked, adding that he appreciates the support from his teammates. “The past year has had its ups and downs, but they kept believing in me and gave me that extra confidence to play until the end.”
Coach Pitino also expressed his appreciation for the spark Dahlin provides off the bench, while noting the progress of Ian Jackson in his new position as point guard. Jackson had a strong first half, scoring all 16 of his points during that period.
“Ian is doing a great job. He’s really a two-guard, but he’s adapting well to this new role,” Pitino said.
Freshman guard Kelvin O’Dea got some playing time in both halves and has been performing well in practice, likely earning a more significant role going forward. “It’s his time to play,” Pitino stated, emphasizing O’Dea’s tough, physical style of play.
With this achievement, Pitino joins the ranks of elite coaches, becoming just the fourth to reach 900 wins at the Division I level, alongside figures like Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Boeheim, and Roy Williams.
