On January 11, 2025, the St. John’s Red Storm secured a significant 80-68 victory over the Villanova Wildcats at Madison Square Garden.
Key Performances:
• RJ Luis (St. John’s): Delivered a career-high 30 points, with 23 scored in the second half, and grabbed 10 rebounds, showcasing his offensive prowess and resilience.
• Aaron Scott (St. John’s): Contributed 12 points, playing a crucial role in the team’s scoring efforts.
• Zuby Ejiofor (St. John’s): Added 11 points and nine rebounds, providing significant support in both scoring and defense.
• Eric Dixon (Villanova): Led the Wildcats with 18 points but was held to 6-of-19 shooting, indicating the defensive pressure applied by St. John’s.
Game Highlights:
St. John’s demonstrated resilience, especially after their key player, Devion Smith, was sidelined due to a left shoulder injury. The Red Storm dominated the boards, outrebounding Villanova 44-28, and showcased defensive tenacity by limiting Villanova’s leading scorer, Eric Dixon, to 18 points on 6-of-19 shooting. Their defensive efforts were complemented by efficient free-throw shooting, converting 29-of-39 attempts, which helped them maintain their lead and secure the victory.
Team Statistics:
• St. John’s: Demonstrated dominance in rebounding with a 37-25 advantage and capitalized on free-throw opportunities, making 29 out of 39 attempts.
• Villanova: Struggled with shooting efficiency, particularly from their leading scorer, Eric Dixon, who was held to 6-of-19 from the field.
This victory marked St. John’s ninth win in their last ten games and their third consecutive win over Villanova, highlighting their current form and confidence in conference play.
