PROVIDENCE – The journey to the finish line took some unexpected turns, but the outcome reflected the resilience of No. 17 St. John’s, a team showcasing its championship potential in the Big East. Providence College fans directed their ire at Bryce Hopkins, who endured all 40 minutes of jeers and witnessed a brutal foul against him that ignited a skirmish. Unfortunately for the Friars, such hostility led to a painful 79-69 defeat at the Amica Mutual Pavilion.
Dylan Darling emerged as a star for the Red Storm, contributing a game-high 23 points, including 18 pivotal points in the second half. His performance was marked by a crucial layup following a turnover by Jamier Jones and a timely 1-and-1 conversion that bolstered St. John’s to a commanding 64-55 lead. The contest seemed to slip away from Providence when Joson Sanon delivered a follow-up dunk with 5:15 remaining, stretching the Red Storm’s lead back to double digits.
“Thought we came out really good in the second half,” lamented Providence coach Kim English. “The scrum happened at a bad time for us. We had the lead.”
Providence initially fought back from a 13-point deficit to briefly seize a 40-39 advantage early in the second half. However, an aggressive foul on Hopkins, which resulted in six ejections, shifted the momentum. St. John’s quickly capitalized, scoring the next eight points to take control for good.
“We know exactly what we’re playing for,” said St. John’s forward Zuby Ejiofor. “We’re playing for a championship, and that’s a one-game-at-a-time mentality. Our biggest thing was to stay composed through it all.”
While the Friars struggled with two key players missing due to injury, including Corey Floyd Jr. and Jason Edwards, they fought hard. However, they could not overcome the relentless defense by St. John’s, which managed to limit their offensive fluidity. The Red Storm’s aggressive play contributed to Providence’s difficulties, impacting their shot efficiency as they finished with a disappointing 33.3% shooting in each half.
The Red Storm improved to 20-5 with this victory and avenged their earlier loss to Providence in January, where they had fallen 77-71. St. John’s showcased a strong defensive performance, highlighted by just five turnovers and a significant 14-2 margin in points off turnovers.
Despite the loss, Providence’s Stefan Vaaks led the team with 20 points, but the overall inconsistency and injuries limited their effectiveness. This defeat marked the Friars’ second consecutive season below .500 in conference play, a first since the period from 2009 to 2012.
As the season progresses, both teams have the opportunity to build on their current performances. The Red Storm’s victory highlights their ability to respond under pressure, while Providence seeks to regroup and leverage the remaining games to improve their standing amidst challenging circumstances.