St. John’s rallies past UConn to win 10th straight

St. John’s Extends Winning Streak with Thrilling Comeback Against UConn

Feb 7, 2025, 11:38 PM ET

STORRS, Conn. — In a game that had fans on the edge of their seats, RJ Luis Jr. delivered a standout performance, scoring six of his 21 points in the final 2:16. This late-game heroics helped No. 12 St. John’s secure a 68-62 comeback victory over No. 19 UConn on Friday night. This win marks the Red Storm’s 10th consecutive victory, a streak that hasn’t been seen since the 1984-85 season when they reached the Final Four.

St. John’s has been on a roll, and their current 10-game conference win streak is a testament to their resilience and skill. According to ESPN research, this is their longest streak since the 1984-85 season. That year, the Red Storm made it all the way to the Final Four, a feat that fans are hoping to see repeated this season.

UConn, on the other hand, had a strong start, leading by as many as 14 points. However, this loss ties their second-largest blown lead since Dan Hurley took over as head coach in the 2018-19 season, according to ESPN research. It’s a tough pill to swallow for the Huskies, who have shown promise but struggled to maintain their lead in this matchup.

Remarkably, this game marked the fifth time this year that St. John’s has come back from a double-digit deficit to win, tying them for the most in the nation with five other teams. This ability to rally from behind speaks volumes about their tenacity and determination.

St. John’s coach Rick Pitino was quick to downplay any notion that the team needed to prove itself. “We’re the 11th-ranked team in the country. I don’t think we have to show anybody,” Pitino said. “We’re highly ranked. We’re No. 1 in the Big East. We play great basketball. We’re out to win a game, not out to show people how good we are. We’re the 11th- or 12th-ranked team in the country. I don’t think there’s any doubters.”

In addition to Luis Jr.’s impressive performance, Kadary Richmond scored all 13 of his points in the second half, while Simeon Wilcher added 12 for St. John’s, who now boast a record of 21-3 overall and 12-1 in the Big East.

For UConn, Liam McNeeley led the charge with 18 points. Solo Ball contributed 13 points, and Tarris Reed Jr. added 12 points and 15 rebounds. McNeeley, who had been sidelined for eight games due to an ankle injury, made a notable impact with four points in a 6-0 run that put the Huskies up by six with 11:16 left in the second half. However, the Huskies couldn’t capitalize on this momentum as St. John’s regained the lead with back-to-back jumpers by Luis and Richmond.

Adding to the evening’s excitement, Ben Gordon, a former Huskies player from 2001 to 2004 and a member of a national championship team, was inducted into the Huskies of Honor at halftime. This ceremony was a nostalgic moment for UConn fans, celebrating a player who contributed significantly to the team’s history.

Takeaways

• St. John’s: The Red Storm managed to pull off the win despite missing 11 shots in a row during one stretch in the second half. Their ability to stay focused and execute when it mattered most was key to their victory.
• UConn: Ball and Jaylin Stewart started strong with impressive shooting, combining for 22 points in the first half. However, they were unable to score in the second half, which contributed to the Huskies’ downfall.

Key Moment

With UConn leading by four, Richmond’s pair of baskets during a 6-0 run was pivotal in taking the lead. The Red Storm capitalized on this momentum, scoring 12 points in a row to secure the win.

Key Stat

There were 20 points scored off turnovers, and 18 of those were scored by St. John’s. This statistic highlights the Red Storm’s ability to capitalize on UConn’s mistakes and turn them into scoring opportunities.

Up Next

St. John’s: The Red Storm will face Villanova on Wednesday, looking to extend their winning streak.

UConn: The Huskies will travel to Creighton on Tuesday, hoping to bounce back from this tough loss.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.