St. John’s captures road win on Villanova campus for first time in 31 years
VILLANOVA, Pa. Several Lets go Johnnies chants broke out. A few boos came from grumpy Villanova fans as they left Finneran Pavilion early.
No, this wasnt a St. Johns fans fever dream, though it mustve felt like one.
For the first time since 1993, St. Johns left the campus of Villanova victorious, and it did so with relative ease. Even without starting power forward Chris Ledlum (sprained ankle), Rick Pitinos Johnnies led wire to wire and overwhelmed the Wildcats, 81-71, handing them their first Big East loss in emphatic fashion.
For most of the second half, St. Johns (11-4) led by double figures, improving to 3-1 in league play their best start since the 2010-11 season.
They havent trailed in those three wins, have held double-figures advantages in all of them and are in a four-way tie atop the Big East with Seton Hall, UConn and Villanova.
I feel like this is only the beginning for us, said star center Joel Soriano, who beat Villanova (10-5) for the first time in six tries. Now I feel like were more connected, guys are more in tune to what we need to do to be the team we want to be. We have six fifth-year guys that are trying to do something special for their last year.
4St. John’s Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino reacts during the first half of a game against the Villanova Wildcats. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con“So a win like this is big of course, but well take it for the night, but get ready for the next one.
Daniss Jenkins was the best player on the floor, continuing his recent impressive play with 18 points, five assists, three steals and a game-high, plus-13 rating.
Soriano owned the paint, notching 20 points, eight rebounds and three assists, and freshman Brady Dunlap, suddenly a key part of this team, added a career-high 15 points in his first start.
A question mark to play due to recurring shin splints, RJ Luis had 11 points and seven rebounds.
4Villanova Wildcats forward Eric Dixon (43) drives for a shot against St. John’s Red Storm center Joel Soriano (11) during the first half. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConDefense was again this teams calling card, a key to their 5-1 record since an ugly loss to Boston College on Dec. 10. After that loss, Pitino called his teams defense abominable.
Since, the Red Storm have gone from 127th in defensive efficiency to 57th.
They held Villanova to 6-for-28 (21.4 percent) shooting from 3-point range and limited star forward Eric Dixon to 14 points on 4-of-18 shooting (22.2 percent).
Now theyre all becoming a good defensive team, Pitino said. Theyre mixing up their zone with their man, theyre mixing up their presses. Theyre an intelligent group.
4Villanova Wildcats guard TJ Bamba (0) and St. John’s Red Storm forward Zuby Ejiofor (24) and guard Daniss Jenkins (5) wrestle for ball control during the first half. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConTJ Bamba led Villanova (10-5, 3-1) with 23 points.
The Wildcats were without star guard Justin Moore (sprained right knee).
They had been 4-0 in his absence before this game.
St. Johns couldnt have scripted a better start. It led 10-0 and was up 24-9 with 9:03 left in the first half. It started the second half the same way: with a burst.
4St. John’s Red Storm forward Zuby Ejiofor (24) blocks a shot attempt of Villanova Wildcats forward Tyler Burton (23). USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConThe lead, down to six at halftime, quickly was back to 14. Villanova did get within seven, but 3-pointers as the shot clock expired by Dunlap and Jenkins padded the lead and quieted the crowd.
The Johnnies were up by 13 at the under-8 timeout and headed to their first win on the campus of Villanova in 30 years.
They had lost 14 in a row in this building.
Thats why I committed here, thats why everyone in the locker room committed here, Dunlap said. Coach Pitino is changing whats going on here at St. Johns. Its truly special to be a part of something like that with Coach Pitino and all those guys in the locker room that are truly a family.
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