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6d ago

St. John’s Rout UConn 72–52 to Repeat as Big East Tournament Champions

Zuby Ejiofor’s shot-blocking led a wire-to-wire performance that likely ends UConn’s No. 1 seed bid on the eve of Selection Sunday.

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St. John's forward Zuby Ejiofor and players of St. John's celebrate after beating UConn to win the Big East tournament.
Jacob Dar #1 of the Seton Hall Pirates goes to the basket as Dillon Mitchell #1 of the St. John's Red Storm defends during the 2026 Big East Men's Tournament - Semifinal game at Madison Square Garden on March 13, 2026 in New York City.
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT - FEBRUARY 25: Bryce Hopkins #23 of the St. John's Red Storm is defended by Solo Ball #1 of the Connecticut Huskies during the first half of an NCAA men's basketball game at PeoplesBank Arena on February 25, 2026 in Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)

Overview

  • Top-seeded St. John’s led from the opening 10–0 burst and never trailed, finishing off No. 2 UConn by 20 at Madison Square Garden.
  • Zuby Ejiofor posted 18 points, nine rebounds and seven blocks to earn Most Outstanding Player honors, setting a Big East title game blocks record.
  • UConn committed 17 turnovers, including 11 before halftime, and went without a field goal for the final eight minutes during a 1-for-15 closing stretch.
  • The victory gives St. John’s back-to-back tournament crowns and the Big East’s automatic NCAA bid after also securing a second straight regular-season title.
  • UConn guard Silas Demary Jr. left with a leg injury that coach Dan Hurley described as a presumed mild sprain with precautionary X-rays pending.