A Father's Triumph, A Son's Challenge: Pitino's 900th Win Against Xavier
A Nail-Biting Finish: St. John's Secures Victory in Final Moments
With merely 53.2 seconds remaining on the clock, Dylan Darling sank a crucial three-pointer, propelling St. John's into the lead. His pivotal basket contributed to his total of 11 points off the bench, ultimately guiding Rick Pitino's St. John's team to an 88-83 triumph over Xavier, coached by his son Richard. This thrilling encounter unfolded in Cincinnati, showcasing a remarkable display of skill and determination from both sides.
Overcoming Adversity: St. John's Erases Significant Deficit
The Red Storm faced a formidable challenge, trailing by as many as 16 points in the second half. However, demonstrating incredible resilience, St. John's mounted a powerful comeback, securing the victory. This win marked a historic moment for Rick Pitino, as it was his 900th career victory as a college coach, placing him among an elite group as only the fourth coach in Division I history to achieve this milestone. This marked the second consecutive game where St. John's overcame a double-digit second-half deficit to emerge victorious.
The Legacy Continues: Pitino's Dominance Over Son's Team
Rick Pitino extended his head-to-head record against his son to 4-1 following this matchup. Bryce Hopkins added 18 points, and Dillon Mitchell contributed 17 for St. John's (15-5, 8-1), extending their impressive winning streak to six games. The father-son duo is set to face off again on February 9th in New York, promising another exciting chapter in their on-court rivalry.
Xavier's Stellar Performance: Notable Contributions from Key Players
On the Xavier side, Tre Carroll delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 18 of his career-high 31 points in the second half. Malik Messina-Moore also made a significant impact with 18 points, while Jovan Milicevic added 14 points before fouling out with three minutes left in the game. Xavier's record now stands at 11-9 overall and 3-6 in conference play.
A Moment of Respect: Father and Son's Pre-Game Embrace
In a heartfelt gesture of respect for his father, Richard Pitino deviated from his usual casual attire, opting for a suit and tie. The two coaches, dressed in nearly identical suits, shared a warm embrace in front of the Xavier bench just minutes before the player introductions, highlighting the unique bond and mutual admiration between them.
Explosive Start for St. John's: Early Offensive Surge
St. John's began the game with an offensive explosion, converting eight of their initial ten shots from the field to establish an early 20-11 lead. Ian Jackson spearheaded this early surge, making his first five shots and contributing 13 of the Red Storm's first 20 points.
Xavier's Momentum Shift: A Game-Changing Four-Point Play
The dynamics of the game shifted dramatically with St. John's holding a nine-point lead. Joson Sanon fouled Messina-Moore on a successful three-pointer with 13 minutes remaining in the first half. Messina-Moore then completed the four-point play with a free throw, initiating a decisive 7-0 run for the Musketeers, altering the course of the first half.
Musketeers' Dominance: A Significant First-Half Run
Riding the wave of momentum, Xavier unleashed a commanding 36-13 run, seizing a substantial 47-33 lead on back-to-back three-pointers from Messina-Moore as the first half neared its conclusion, showcasing their ability to control the pace and scoring.
Xavier's Halftime Lead: Milicevic's Early Second-Half Impact
Xavier continued their strong performance into the second half, with Milicevic contributing a pair of layups in the opening 50 seconds. These baskets extended their lead to its largest margin of 53-37, prompting an immediate timeout from Rick Pitino to strategize. Interestingly, Milicevic's basket with 19:10 left marked Xavier's final score for nearly seven minutes, allowing St. John's to begin their comeback.
St. John's Resurgence: The Comeback Gains Traction
St. John's steadily chipped away at Xavier's lead, narrowing the deficit to a single point, 56-55, following a powerful dunk by Dillon Mitchell with 11:03 remaining. Although Xavier temporarily extended their lead back to eight points with the next seven scores, St. John's responded with a relentless 17-6 run, taking a 72-69 lead and firmly seizing control of the game.
Celebrating a Legend: Tu Holloway's Jersey Retirement
Adding to the celebratory atmosphere within the arena, the halftime ceremony featured the retirement of former Xavier star Tu Holloway's No. 52 jersey, honoring his significant contributions to the program and further enhancing the memorable nature of the event.