The Red Storm’s offense was firing on all cylinders, shooting a blistering 56% from the field and committing a season-low five turnovers. St. John’s controlled the paint from the opening whistle, outscoring Butler 46-28 inside. After a cold start from the perimeter, the Johnnies found their range late in the first half, knocking down five consecutive three-pointers to take a 43-29 lead into the locker room. The lead eventually swelled to as many as 29 points in the second half, allowing Pitino to secure career win No. 901 in comfortable fashion.
The Interior Trio: Mitchell, Ejiofor, and Hopkins
The game was decided by the sheer physicality and athleticism of St. John’s frontcourt. Dillon Mitchell was the standout performer, recording a massive double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds while adding four assists and three blocks. Pitino praised Mitchell’s high basketball IQ after the game, comparing his impact to “having another coach on the court.” His ability to facilitate from the high post and protect the rim effectively neutralized Butler’s attempts to drive.
Complementing Mitchell were Zuby Ejiofor and Bryce Hopkins, who combined for 23 points and 11 rebounds. Ejiofor’s energy was infectious early, as he scored the game’s opening basket and helped the Red Storm jump out to an early 20-6 advantage. The trio’s dominance forced Butler into difficult, contested perimeter shots, as the Bulldogs struggled to find any easy looks near the basket against the Red Storm’s length and rim protection.
Butler’s Tough Night: Matta Remains at 499
For the Butler Bulldogs (13-8, 4-6), the night was a setback for a team that had recently won three straight following a mid-season slump. The loss also kept head coach Thad Matta one win shy of the 500-career-victory milestone. Michael Ajayi was the lone consistent bright spot for Butler, leading the team with 19 points and 11 rebounds. However, he lacked support from his backcourt peers, as the Bulldogs shot a combined 25-of-73 (34%) from the floor.
Finley Bizjack, who had been on a scoring tear entering the game, was held relatively in check by St. John’s perimeter defenders. While he managed to get to the free-throw line, his rhythm was disrupted by the Red Storm’s physical defensive switches. Butler managed to cut the lead to five points late in the first half, but an 8-0 St. John’s run immediately followed, effectively ending any hopes of a road upset at the Garden.
Around the Top 25: Volunteers Survive Overtime Thriller
In other Top 25 action on Wednesday, the Tennessee Volunteers (15-6) escaped Athens with a heart-pounding 86-85 overtime victory against Georgia. Ja’Kobi Gillespie led the Vols with 21 points, but it was a late layup by Georgia’s Marcus Millender that kept the game in the balance until the final buzzer. The win was a historic one for head coach Rick Barnes, marking his 850th career victory and keeping Tennessee in the thick of the SEC title hunt.
The Volunteers overcame a sluggish first half by dominating the offensive glass, pulling down a staggering 26 offensive rebounds. Freshman Nate Ament provided a spark with 19 points, including a critical corner three-pointer in the extra frame. Despite a 22-point effort from Georgia’s Catchings, the Bulldogs couldn’t secure the upset, as Tennessee’s experience and rebounding advantage proved too much to overcome in the final minutes.
Houston and Florida Log Dominant Road Wins
No. 10 Houston (18-2) continued its march toward the top of the Big 12 with a 79-70 victory over TCU in Fort Worth. The Cougars’ trademark defense was on full display, forcing 15 turnovers and limiting the Horned Frogs to just 40% shooting. Houston’s victory keeps them within striking distance of the top spot in the conference standings as they prepare for a highly anticipated February slate.
Meanwhile, No. 19 Florida (15-6) delivered the most lopsided result of the night, crushing South Carolina 95-48. The Gators’ 47-point margin of victory was their largest in SEC play in over a decade. Florida’s high-octane offense never took its foot off the gas, shooting over 60% from the field and holding the Gamecocks to a dismal 19 points in the first half. The win signals that Florida is peaking at the right time as the calendar turns toward February.
The Big East Outlook: St. John’s Chasing UConn
With the victory, St. John’s remains just one game behind No. 2 UConn for first place in the Big East. The Red Storm’s turnaround has been one of the biggest stories in college basketball; after a rocky start to January that included a loss to Providence, they have won seven straight, including several double-digit comebacks. Pitino’s squad has now swept the season series against Butler, winning both games by a combined 36 points.
Looking ahead, the Red Storm will face a daunting test as they travel to take on the top-ranked teams in the conference. The chemistry between the transfer-heavy roster and the freshman class seems to have finally clicked, making St. John’s a legitimate threat for a deep run in March. For now, the Garden is rocking again, and Pitino’s 900-win milestone is just the latest chapter in a resurgent season for the Johnnies.
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