The UConn men’s basketball team delivered a commanding performance at PeoplesBank Arena on Wednesday night, showcasing their dominance in the Big East with a resounding 72-40 victory over No. 15 St.
John’s. This win not only kept their regular-season championship hopes alive but also marked their third consecutive perfect 8-0 season in Hartford-a feat that underscores their prowess on home turf.
The Huskies set a new record for the largest margin of victory in their series against St. John’s, making a clear statement about their intentions this season.
Senior center Tarris Reed Jr. was the star of the night, putting on a career-best performance with 20 points, 11 rebounds, six blocks, and two steals. Reed’s defensive efforts were particularly impressive as he limited Zuby Ejiofor, the preseason Big East Player of the Year, to just six points and four rebounds.
This was a stark contrast to Ejiofor’s previous outing against UConn, where he posted 21 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists.
Contributions from Alex Karaban, who added 14 points and five rebounds, and Solo Ball, with 11 points and four assists, highlighted the strength of UConn’s Big Three. This victory also ended a three-game losing streak against the Red Storm, propelling the Huskies into a tie at the top of the Big East standings.
However, for UConn to secure the No. 1 seed in the Big East Tournament, they’ll need another loss from St. John’s or a shift in standings involving Providence and Creighton. The Huskies, now 26-3 overall and 16-2 in the Big East, are in a prime position but still need some help to clinch the top spot.
The game began with a layup from Bryce Hopkins for St. John’s, but UConn quickly responded with a 3-pointer from Karaban and a thunderous dunk from Reed, igniting the home crowd.
Despite efforts from Hopkins and Ian Jackson, who both hit 3-pointers to keep St. John’s in the game, Reed’s aggressive play led another UConn surge.
Braylon Mullins’ corner 3-pointer forced a timeout from St. John’s coach Rick Pitino as the Huskies extended their lead.
UConn’s dominance was evident on the boards and in transition. They held a 21-17 rebounding edge, a 9-1 advantage in second-chance points, and outscored St.
John’s 10-0 in transition during the first half. Their defensive intensity forced five turnovers while committing only two themselves.
As the first half wound down, St. John’s struggled offensively, going seven minutes without a score.
By the time Ejiofor split a pair of free throws, UConn had stretched their lead to 31-11. Joson Sanon provided a brief spark for St.
John’s with a couple of late 3-pointers, but UConn entered halftime with a comfortable 41-26 lead.
The second half saw Reed and Ejiofor exchange buckets in the paint before Silas Demary Jr. contributed with a mid-range jumper and an assist to Mullins for a 3-pointer. Demary's defensive prowess was on display with a backcourt steal leading to a Ross slam, part of a 9-0 run that pushed UConn’s lead to 54-31.
St. John’s offensive woes continued as they missed their final 24 shots, failing to score a field goal for the remainder of the game.
UConn capitalized, extending their lead to as much as 36 points. The Huskies finished with a 41-37 rebounding advantage, dominated the paint 42-12, and maintained a 14-0 edge in transition, all while limiting turnovers to just five.
St. John’s struggled mightily, shooting a mere 19.6% from the field, as UConn cemented their status as a formidable force in the Big East.