In an exhilarating finish to their regular season, the St. John’s Red Storm clinched a dramatic 86-84 overtime win against Marquette. The game came down to the final moments, with Zuby Ejiofor delivering the decisive shot as time expired. This victory not only highlighted the team's resilience but also solidified their impressive record of 27-4 under second-year head coach Rick Pitino. The triumph capped off a remarkable season that saw the Red Storm secure their first outright Big East title since 1984 and position themselves as the top seed in the conference tournament for the first time in nearly four decades.
The final seconds of the game were nothing short of electrifying. As the clock ticked down during the extra period, it appeared that Marquette might have the upper hand when guard Chase Ross secured a rebound from a missed three-point attempt by St. John’s RJ Luis Jr. However, Kadary Richmond swiftly intervened, stripping the ball from Ross and passing it to Simeon Wilcher, who then found Ejiofor for the game-winning basket. Ejiofor’s performance was stellar throughout, contributing 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Luis led the charge with 28 points.
Another standout moment came from Richmond, who etched his name into the history books by achieving the program’s first triple-double since Ron Artest in 1999. His all-around effort included 10 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists, showcasing his versatility and leadership on the court. This achievement underscored the depth and talent within the Red Storm roster, which has been meticulously built under Pitino’s guidance.
The Red Storm’s success this season is particularly noteworthy given their limited appearances in the NCAA tournament in recent years. Since 2002, they have made it to the national stage just three times, with their last appearance in 2019. Now, as they prepare for the upcoming conference tournament, where they will face the winner of Providence and Butler in the quarterfinals on Thursday, the team is poised to make a strong push for a return to the NCAA tournament. Fans and analysts alike are optimistic about the Red Storm’s prospects, buoyed by their exceptional performance this year.