St. John's delivered a stunning upset as they defeated No. 15 Creighton 80-66 in a Big East showdown at Madison Square Garden. Led by Daniss Jenkins' season-high 27 points and Jordan Dingle's 18 points, the Red Storm showcased a stellar performance to secure their biggest victory under Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino.
The Red Storm, with a record of 16-12 in the season, displayed composure and efficiency throughout the game, outplaying the Bluejays who struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 23% from 3-point range. St. John's also excelled in their free throw shooting, making all 10 attempts, and demonstrated excellent ball movement with 24 assists while committing only three turnovers.
Coach Pitino, in his first season with St. John's, witnessed his team's resilience and determination as they closed out a quality opponent in front of a spirited crowd of 12,061 fans at Madison Square Garden. The Red Storm's victory marked a significant turnaround following recent games where they had let leads slip away.
Creighton, coming off a strong performance against UConn, was led by Trey Alexander's impressive 31-point effort. Despite the loss, Ryan Kalkbrenner contributed with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and eight blocks for the Bluejays.
Looking ahead, Creighton aims to secure a first-round bye in the upcoming Big East Tournament, while St. John's continues to build momentum after back-to-back wins following a tough loss to Seton Hall.
Next Steps for Both Teams
Creighton will face Seton Hall in their next game, seeking to replicate their previous triple-overtime victory. St. John's, on the other hand, will take on Butler in their upcoming matchup, looking to continue their winning streak.
St. John's impressive performance against Creighton serves as a statement win for the Red Storm, showcasing their potential and resilience as they navigate through the competitive Big East conference.
