Mar 15, 2025, 09:05 PM ET
RJ Luis Jr. scored all however two of his 29 issues after halftime and No. 6 St. John’s made 14 instantly photographs from the sector in the second one part to overcome Creighton 82-66 on Saturday evening for its first Giant East event identify in 25 years.
Zuby Ejiofor added 20 issues and Kadary Richmond had 12 issues and 12 rebounds for the top-seeded Crimson Hurricane (30-4), who reached 30 wins for the 3rd time in program historical past in entrance of a roaring place of origin crowd at sold-out Madison Sq. Lawn.
They earned the convention’s computerized bid to the NCAA event for his or her first shuttle since 2019, making 72-year-old Corridor of Famer Rick Pitino the primary trainer to take six faculties to the Giant Dance. The others have been Boston College, Windfall, Kentucky, Louisville and Iona.
“For the entire St. John’s fanatics, that is for you!” Pitino proclaimed all over a postgame interview at the court docket, pausing to take away falling confetti from his lips. “St. John’s is New York’s staff!”
Pitino, in his moment season at St. John’s, additionally changed into the primary trainer to win the Giant East event at two faculties. He has gained 3 times in his previous 4 seasons within the league, after guiding Louisville to championships in 2009, 2012 and 2013.
“They have got had a exceptional 12 months. Ruled our league and just about stored their highest for this convention event,” Creighton trainer Greg McDermott stated of the Crimson Hurricane. “They simply put on into you over the years. … We misplaced to a actually excellent basketball staff. I feel they are going to constitute the Giant East in a favorable means subsequent week.”
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Ryan Kalkbrenner scored 15 for second-seeded Creighton (24-10), which fell to 0-5 in Giant East championship video games since becoming a member of the convention for the 2013-14 season.
It used to be the fourth Giant East event identify for the Johnnies, who made the championship recreation for the primary time since profitable the 2000 trophy beneath Mike Jarvis. The former two got here within the Eighties beneath Corridor of Reputation trainer Lou Carnesecca, who died Nov. 30 about 5 weeks shy of his a hundredth birthday.
“We had 3 levels we set out,” Pitino stated after the win, possibly relating to profitable the Giant East regular-season identify, the convention’s event crown and, in the long run, the nationwide championship. The Crimson Hurricane have secured the primary two levels.
“I am so excited. I could not be extra blessed for this chance,” Luis stated. “We are going to stay on going.”
The Related Press contributed to this record.
