HARTFORD

In their initial encounter, Zuby Ejiofor was the standout player, helping St. John’s beat Connecticut. Fast forward nineteen days, and Taris Reed Jr. took that spotlight.

The UW forward put up an impressive display, scoring 20 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and blocking six shots in the No. 6 Huskies’ 72-40 victory over No. 15 St. John’s.

Ejiofor managed just one point during the first half, finishing the game with six points from five attempts. He also left the court with a bloodied lip, needing medical attention after the tough loss. It was certainly a memorable night for the leading candidate for Big East Player of the Year.

“It was entirely our fault,” Ejiofor remarked, reflecting on the team’s performance. “We struggled on both sides of the ball, especially at the start.” He noted that although he tried to lead vocally, his performance didn’t align with his usual capability.

In their earlier game on February 6th, Ejiofor had outscored Reed, which played a key role in the Red Storm’s win. However, Reed’s performance was underwhelming in this rematch.

“He’s one of the best bigs in the nation,” Ejiofor stated. “Tonight, he just couldn’t find his rhythm or the opportunities he typically capitalizes on.” Despite this, Reed still managed to deliver a strong game.

After being absent in Saturday’s match against Creighton, Ian Jackson returned to score three points over 14 minutes as a substitute. In other news, freshman guard Kelvin O’Dea is still sidelined due to a sore right leg.

Meanwhile, Connecticut’s junior wing Jaylin Stewart was missing due to a knee issue. St. John’s 40 points marked their lowest total since March 5, 2013, and it was their largest defeat by a ranked opponent since 1960.