St. John's rally surpasses UConn to expand its winning streak to 10
STOLLS, Connecticut – RJ Luis Jr. scored 6 of 21 points in the final 2:16 to help No. 12 St. John's winning streak, winning 68-62 back to 68-62 Return to win, defeating UConn No. 19. Friday night.
According to ESPN research, St. John's 10-game winning streak is the longest winning streak since 14-game winning streaks in the 1984-85 season. That season was also the last time that Red Storm entered the last four games.
According to ESPN Research, UConn leads with a lead of up to 14 points, but tied for his second-largest lead since Dan Hurley took over as head coach in 2018-19.
It also marks St. John's fifth return from a double-digit deficit this year, winning the victory and tied for the nationwide team as five other teams.
St. Johns coach Rick Pitino said the team did not use the game to prove itself.
“We are the 11th-ranked team in the country. I don't think we have to show anyone,” Pitino said. “We rank very high. We rank first in the Big East. We play great basketball. We want to win A game, not showing people how we perform. We are 11th or 12th – I don't think there are any skeptics.”
Kadary Richmond scored all 13 points in the second half, Simeon Wilcher added 12 points to St. John (21-3, 12-1 Big East).
Liam McNeeley scored 18 points for UConn (16-7, 8-4). Solo Ball scored 13 points, while Tarris Reed Jr. had 12 points and 15 rebounds.
McNeeley missed the first eight games with an ankle injury, scoring four points in UConn's 6-0 with 11:16 left in the second half, improving the Eskikis by 6 points. With St. John's regaining his lead on the back-to-back jumper in Luis and Richmond, the Huskimo couldn't build it.
Ben Gordon played for the Huskies from 2001 to 2004 and was a member of the national championship team for his junior season, and was selected as the Medal of Honor at the end of the half.
St. John's: Red Storm won, despite three straight misses in a row in the second half.
UCONN: Ball and Jaylin Stewart made an impressive start to shoot but failed to score in the second half after combining 22 points in the first half.
With UConn leading four points, Richmond had a pair of baskets in a 6-0 game to lead. Red Storm will score 12 consecutive points.
The turnover scored 20 points, and St. John scored 18 points.
St. John: Playing in Villanova on Wednesday.
UCONN: Tuesday in Creighton.
The Associated Press information is used in this report.