St. John’s University, despite having six days off, still struggled to pinpoint their “best match.” But a quick 20-minute session to shake off rust made a noticeable difference.
Dylan Darling, back in the starting lineup for the first time after recovering from a calf strain, showcased a stellar performance as the second half kicked off. He contributed significantly with scoring, precise passes, and crafty defense, helping 13th-ranked St. John’s turn what had been a surprisingly tight five-point game into a decisive 93-60 win.
The team started the second half with an 8-0 run that quickly ballooned into a 27-2 surge, marking a 30-point lead. It all kicked off with Dahlin driving for an off-balance layup, which was part of his three assists.
Bryce Hopkins, transferring from Idaho State, made a clever pass across the lane, catching a defender off-guard and allowing for an easy layup that pushed the score to 43-34.
After a turnover from the opposing team, Dahlin skillfully maneuvered through a full-court press with a low dribble and set up Hopkins for a dunk.
With pressure mounting, a rattled Tribe threw an errant inbounds pass while Hopkins was quick to recover.
Zuby Ejiofor then snatched an offensive rebound which prompted a timeout from the visitors.
St. John’s, playing without Darling until recently and coming off a challenging game against Alabama, benefited from a well-rounded offensive effort. Five players scored in double digits: Hopkins and Joeson Sanon both with 15 points, followed by Darling with 13, and Ojia Sellers and Ejiofor each contributing 13 and 11 points respectively.
A series of fast-break dunks by Ian Jackson and a windmill jam from Dillon Mitchell sealed the win.
It was a little surprising when the game was tied at 28-28 with just under six minutes left in the first half. William & Mary’s three-point shooting kept them competitive early, as they managed to hit 6 of their first 18 shots from deep.
Once St. John’s took a 32-28 lead, Sellers assisted Hopkins and Ejiofor for back-to-back layups, marking a critical moment for the team. It was quite fitting that most of their early scores came from inside the paint, with Sanon contributing nine points in the first half and helping to establish a 39-34 halftime lead.
Rick Pitino made some tweaks to the starting lineup, including bringing Dahlin on as an extra ball-handler, allowing Sellers to find better shot opportunities.
Mitchell’s role shifted slightly as he came off the bench for the first time. This paid off as Dahlin left the game with a significant 64-36 lead six minutes into the second half, earning roaring applause from the crowd.
Highlights included Mitchell’s impressive block that transitioned into a quick layup by Sellers, complemented by some three-pointers from Sellers and an old-school three-point play by Darling.
Pitino even challenged Mitchell on a goaltending call despite leading 78-45, likely wanting to instill a sense of urgency in his newly formed team.
William & Mary appeared to be at a disadvantage, feeling the pressure of facing a ranked opponent for the first time in nearly three years.
For the game overall, St. John’s managed a 48 percent shooting efficiency, making 20 of 40 attempts in the second half.
