St. Johns repeats as Big East Tournament champs for first time after destroying UConn in second half
Zuby Ejiofor waved his hands above his head, imploring the St.John’s fans to get louder.Booming “Let’s go, Johnnies” chants followed into the timeout.
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The large Connecticut contingent had gone quiet.The Red Storm weren’t just going to repeat as Big East Tournament champions for the first time in program history.They were doing it going away, treating the Huskies like they didn’t belong on the same court.There was still 3:26 left on the clock, but that didn’t matter.
It was a formality by now, the lead up to 20.St.
John’s slapped away the Huskies’ second-half push, and blitzed them when it was winning time.Soon, confetti would be falling from the roof, after this 72-52 beatdown at a sold-out Garden.Ejiofor’s final college game at MSG was going to end in a dream-like fashion, the entire building chanting “Zuuuuby,” as he exited the game for the final time.
Tears streamed down his cheeks.When Connecticut had gotten within seven, Ejiofor refused to let the game get away.He hit a 3-pointer, scored in the lane, blocked a shot that led to a Dillon Mitchell windmill jam.
St.John’s put it away late with a 13-0 run, led by Dylan Darling, the little point guard from Idaho State finding his game at just the right time.It was only a few weeks ago that St.
John’s was humbled, beaten by 32 points by these same Huskies in Hartford, Conn.The Johnnies responded like a champion, winning six straight since then.
Saturday night they got revenge, making Connecticut tap in the building their fans like to call “Storrs South,” holding them without a point over the span of 6:48.Ejiofor turned in a masterpiece: 18 points, nine rebounds, seven blocks and three steals.Bryce Hopkins followed with 18 points and Oziyah Sellers had 14.
Mitchell chipped in nine points and nine rebounds.UConn, held to 34 percent s...