St. John's One Win From Back-to-Back Big East Titles

When a 19-point lead shrank to six with under five minutes left, St. John's Big East Player of the Year Zuby Ejiofor stepped up exactly when his team needed him most.

Ejiofor scored inside, blocked a shot, and sparked a 7-0 run that sealed a 78-68 victory over rival Seton Hall at a packed Madison Square Garden on Friday night. The win sends St. John's to consecutive Big East Tournament championship games for the first time since 1999-2000.

"I live for these moments, having the opportunity to win and advance," Ejiofor said after finishing with 20 points and five rebounds. It was his sixth win in seven Big East Tournament games.

The Red Storm (27-6) started hot, scoring their first 20 points in the paint and building leads through two dominant 11-0 runs. They pushed the advantage to 19 points early in the second half before Seton Hall mounted its late charge.

When the Pirates cut it to six with 4:41 remaining, the St. John's veterans refused to let the lead slip away. Joson Sanon hit two free throws, Dillon Mitchell came up with a crucial steal, and Bryce Hopkins added two more from the line to restore control.

The Ripple Effect

This St. John's run represents more than just tournament wins. The Red Storm have won 18 of their last 19 games under coach Rick Pitino, bringing energy and excitement back to a storied program that had struggled for years.

Saturday's championship game against second-seeded Connecticut gives them a shot at something no St. John's team has ever accomplished: winning the Big East Tournament in consecutive seasons. The two teams split their regular season matchups, setting up a true battle between the conference's top programs.

For players like Mitchell, who joined the team this year, the chance to add their names to St. John's history carries special meaning. "For us new guys who weren't part of the team last year, we want it just as bad," he said.

One more win would cement this group's legacy and give Red Storm fans something they haven't celebrated in a generation.