CHICAGO — Trap Averted
It wasn’t exactly a thrilling game, nor will it be one anyone remembers for long.
Nevertheless, St. John’s has bounced back from a shaky start, racking up an eighth consecutive win as they prepare for a big matchup against No. 3 Connecticut at the Garden this Friday.
After a slow first half, the Johnnies cranked up their intensity at Wintrust Arena on Tuesday night. They outscored DePaul 68-56, securing their tenth victory in the league.
This next game? It’s being dubbed the Big East Game of the Year, featuring the top two teams facing off for the first time this season.
UW is riding an 18-game winning streak, recently conquering both Creighton and Xavier.
A single game separates the Huskies and St. John’s in the conference rankings.
Fueled by a strong 16-2 run midway through the second half, No. 22 St. John’s managed to fend off a determined DePaul. Key baskets in the latter stages helped seal the win.
Bryce Hopkins stepped up when it counted, scoring a crucial left-handed layup with just over three minutes left, extending the lead to eight points. DePaul had briefly hoped to narrow the gap after scoring six consecutive points.
This time, Zuby Ejiofor led the team with 16 points, along with nine rebounds and four assists. Hopkins, a local talent, contributed 15 points and five rebounds, while Ojia Sellers came alive in the second half, netting all 13 of his points during that stretch.
The Red Storm also did a commendable job limiting DePaul’s star, CJ Gunn, who managed only nine points on 4-of-13 shooting, including forcing 15 turnovers that resulted in 20 points for St. John’s.
However, the defense was crucial, especially since the team shot just 35 percent from the field, struggling notably from beyond the arc with a mere 6 out of 20 successful attempts.
It all began with a reverse layup from Dillon Mitchell, but the first half was rocky. St. John’s only managed to hit two of their first 14 shots and a total of 20 out of 27. Surprisingly, they entered halftime with a slim lead, even after being outscored in the paint.
Hopkins was the standout in the first half, scoring 10 points and grabbing four rebounds, including a late layup that put St. John’s ahead before the break.
Still, there was much to critique about Pitino’s strategies. The offense felt stagnant, and the defense looked slow at times. DePaul missed several good scoring opportunities, shooting only 3-of-11 from deep in the first half, which could have otherwise given them a more significant advantage.
Mitchell’s contribution was limited; he struggled offensively and was sidelined for the last few minutes before halftime due to foul issues.
On the flip side, Ejiofor’s impact was minimal, making only a single 3-pointer.
The second half saw St. John’s start strong, a far cry from their first performance. Sellers opened with a transition 3-pointer, followed by a backdoor cut basket from Mitchell.
A powerful 9-0 run just past the under-12 media timeout increased the lead to eight points, and Ian Jackson followed up with a 3-pointer that pushed it to an 11-point advantage.
