By SAM LANCE
In a back-and-forth game that featured 15 ties and 26 lead changes, it was St. John’s and junior big man Zuby Ejiofor who had the last laugh. Ejiofor’s floater pushed the No. 6 Red Storm past No. 20 Marquette in overtime 86-84. What screams March more than a buzzer beater?
Zuby Ejiofor wins it at the buzzer for @StJohnsBBall 86-84 in OT
Rick Pitino s team is 16-1 since New Year’s Day pic.twitter.com/kQYMhbeH5C
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) March 8, 2025
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This play was the story of the day for St. John’s, who had 19 offensive rebounds that led to 27 second-chance points. Rick Pitino’s squad simply doesn’t quit on a play. Three players finished with 10+ rebounds for the Red Storm.
“We’re not always the best team, but we’re one of the hardest working teams in America,” Pitino said on Fox.
Senior guard Kadary Richmond turned in a historic performance, finishing with 10 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists. He’s the first St. John’s player with a triple-double since Ron Artest in 1999 and one of 22 players to finish with a triple-double this season. Richmond was the one who set up the game winner by smacking the ball out of the hands of Marquette’s Chase Ross.
Ejiofor, who finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds, has his second game-winner of the season. He hit a similar shot against Providence back on Dec. 20 to give St. John’s a 72-70 win. Junior forward RJ Luis was also huge against Marquette, tallying a team-high 28 points to go with 11 rebounds.
RIck Pitino: “There’s not a whole lot to say, but wow.” #sjubb
— Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) March 8, 2025
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St. John’s (27-4, 18-2 Big East) already had the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament locked up before Saturday’s game. Marquette (22-9, 13-7) had a chance to secure the No. 3 seed in the Big East tournament, but that will now go to UConn with a win over Seton Hall. Xavier will secure the No. 4 seed if it wins over Providence.
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