VILLANOVA, Pa. — A number of “Let’s go Johnnies” chants broke out.
A couple of boos got here from grumpy Villanova followers as they left Finneran Pavilion early.
No, this wasn’t a St. John’s fan’s fever dream, although it should’ve felt like one.
For the primary time since 1993, St. John’s left the campus of Villanova victorious, and so they did so with relative ease.
Even with out beginning energy ahead Chris Ledlum (sprained ankle), Rick Pitino’s Johnnies led wire to wire and overwhelmed the Wildcats, 81-71, handing them their first Huge East loss in emphatic style.
For a lot of the second half, St. John’s (11-4) led by double figures — enhancing to 3-1 in league play, their finest begin for the reason that 2010-11 season.
Daniss Jenkins was the very best participant on the ground, persevering with his current spectacular play with 18 factors, 5 assists and three steals.
Joel Soriano owned the paint, notching 20 factors, eight rebounds and three assists, and freshman Brady Dunlap, instantly a key a part of this staff, added a career-high 15 factors.
A query mark to play on account of recurring shin splints, RJ Luis had 11 factors and 7 rebounds. TJ Bamba led Villanova (10-5, 3-1 Huge East), which shot simply 6-for-28 (21.4 %) from 3-point vary, with 23 factors.
The Wildcats have been with out star guard Justin Moore (sprained proper knee).
They have been 4-0 in his absence earlier than this recreation.
St. John’s couldn’t have scripted a greater begin.
It led 10-0 and was up 24-9 with 9:03 left within the first half.
Villanova missed 15 of its first 18 pictures and had no reply for Soriano, who had 10 factors within the first half.
The Johnnies did cool off, capturing simply 38.7 % from the sector over the primary 20 minutes.
In held a 9-2 benefit in second-chance factors and had 9 assists on 12 made subject targets.
Villanova did shut the half effectively, scoring the ultimate six factors over the ultimate 1:52 to get inside six.
Dixon started to seek out it after lacking his first 4 pictures and despatched the Wildcats into the break with momentum by hitting a fadeaway jumper on the horn.
St. John’s began the second half like the primary: with a burst.
It scored 10 of the primary 12 factors of the stanza, 4 coming from Glenn Taylor Jr., to push the lead again to 14.
Villanova did get inside seven, however 3-pointers because the shot clock expired by Brady Dunlap and Jenkins padded the lead and quieted the gang.
The Johnnies have been up by 13 on the under-8 timeout and headed to their first win on the campus of Villanova since 1993.
