For the first time in 25 years, St. John's took home the Big East Tournament title, delivering a spectacular 82-66 victory over Creighton on Saturday night. This historic win was fueled by a second-half explosion from RJ Luis Jr., who put on an absolute clinic by scoring 27 of his 29 points after halftime. But that wasn’t the only mind-blowing stat—St. John's knocked down an incredible 14 straight shots from the field in the second half, putting on a shooting masterclass that electrified the crowd at Madison Square Garden.
St. John's Dominates in Second Half Blitz
After trailing early and struggling to find their rhythm, the Red Storm (30-4) flipped the switch in the second half. They didn’t just take control; they completely dismantled Creighton's defense. The turning point came with just under 12 minutes remaining, as backup big man Vince Iwuchukwu muscled his way inside to score over Creighton's 7-foot-1 defensive star, Ryan Kalkbrenner. That bucket not only gave St. John's their first lead at 43-41, but it also set the stage for an unbelievable offensive stretch.
From there, the Red Storm went on a tear, draining 14 consecutive field goals to build a commanding 70-55 advantage. Luis was on fire, sinking two clutch three-pointers, while Aaron Scott joined the deep-range party with a triple of his own. The crowd of 19,812 was roaring as St. John’s put together a nearly perfect stretch of basketball, hitting 17 of their final 19 shots from the floor.
RJ Luis Jr.: The MVP Star of the Night
RJ Luis Jr. wasn’t just the best player on the court—he was the heartbeat of St. John’s historic night. The Big East Player of the Year showed exactly why he earned that title, not only scoring at will but also dominating the boards with 10 rebounds. His efforts earned him the prestigious honor of Big East Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. Draped in a Dominican Republic flag, Luis soaked in the moment as fans showered him with chants of "MVP! MVP!"
“I’m so excited. I couldn’t be more blessed for this opportunity,” Luis said in his postgame interview. “We’re going to keep on going.”
Pitino Makes History Again
Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino continues to rewrite history books. The 72-year-old legend became the first coach ever to take six different schools to the NCAA Tournament—Boston University, Providence, Kentucky, Louisville, Iona, and now St. John’s. Not only that, but he also became the first coach to win the Big East Tournament with two different teams.
“For all the St. John's fans, this is for you!” Pitino proclaimed as he celebrated on the court. “St. John’s is New York’s team!”
This was Pitino’s third Big East Tournament title in just four seasons in the league, previously guiding Louisville to championships in 2009, 2012, and 2013. And judging by the way St. John’s performed, this might not be his last.
A Historic 30-Win Season
St. John’s is no stranger to success, but reaching 30 wins in a season is a milestone that has only happened twice before in program history. The last time they achieved this feat? Decades ago. This win secured the Red Storm an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, marking their first trip to the Big Dance since 2019. And with this level of momentum, they’ll be a dangerous team come tournament time.
Creighton’s Tough Night & Key Injury Setback
While Creighton (24-10) had high hopes of capturing their first-ever Big East Tournament title, they once again fell short in the championship game—dropping to 0-5 in finals appearances since joining the conference in 2013-14. Their night was made even tougher when freshman guard Fedor Zugic suffered a right ankle injury midway through the first half. Zugic had been a key contributor in Creighton’s thrilling quarterfinal comeback against DePaul, scoring 13 points off the bench, but his absence left a noticeable void in this matchup.
Kalkbrenner led the Bluejays with 15 points, but Creighton simply couldn’t keep up with St. John’s relentless second-half performance. Despite their efforts, the Bluejays struggled to contain the Red Storm’s red-hot shooting stretch, which ultimately sealed their fate.
Looking Ahead: St. John’s Eyes NCAA Tournament Glory
With this statement win, St. John’s enters the NCAA Tournament with sky-high confidence and a team that looks more than capable of making a deep run. Luis is playing at an elite level, Ejiofor and Richmond are providing crucial support, and Pitino is steering the ship with his vast tournament experience.
The energy at Madison Square Garden was electric, and if the Red Storm can channel that momentum into the tournament, they could be a serious threat to make history once again.
For now, though, St. John’s can savor the moment—a long-awaited Big East Tournament championship and a night to remember for their fans. This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement that St. John’s basketball is back on the national stage, and they’re ready to dance!
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