New York, NY – #17-ranked Marquette (13-5, 4-3) got here again within the second half towards St. John’s (12-7, 4-4) 73-72 for a much-needed street victory at Madison Sq. Backyard.
Marquette has struggled to win on the street this yr going 2-3 general, with no street wins in convention play previous to immediately. Workforce leaders in scoring for the Golden Eagles have been high prospects Oso Ighodaro with 17 factors and Tyler Kolek with 15. Marquette’s starters would all end in double digits as Kolek set the desk for everyone, shelling out 11 assists.
For St. John’s this was their third consecutive loss. It was additionally the third loss they’ve had towards top-25 ranked groups this season, shedding them by a mixed six factors. Sophomore RJ Luis Jr. put forth a strong effort for the Johnnies scoring 20 factors paired with three steals. Chris Ledlum notched his fifth double-double of the season ending with 13 factors and 11 boards.
St. John’s was up double digits at one level within the first half regardless of 11 early turnovers and little influence from each Daniss Jenkins and Joel Soriano. Kansas switch Zuby Ejiofor offered a spark in reduction of Soriano with 5 factors throughout a 14-2 late first half run. Luis Jr. chipped in 4 of his personal throughout the stretch and 9 within the half. They dominated the glass 24-13 and held Marquette 0-of-11 from distance all the first interval. Kolek was saved in verify with solely 4 first half factors. The Backyard was rocking and issues have been getting in favor of the Johnnies as they headed into halftime up 34-28.
Marquette stayed on this sport with their quick tempo. Make, miss, or turnover, Shaka Good desires his group to flip sides of the court docket rapidly. St. John’s has struggled to cope with tempo and transition factors in earlier video games, and Marquette was in a position to exploit them with fast passes up the ground. Their emphasis for deflections and fast offense by no means wavered even within the face of an early deficit. Coach Good instantly out of halftime drew a play up for an open David Joplin 3-pointer that reversed their capturing fortunes. That’d be the primary of three for Joplin, as Marquette went 6-of-9 from deep within the second half. They scored 31 factors by the 10-minute mark, after scoring 28 all first half. Their offense was buzzing on all cylinders and Kolek was getting anyplace he wished to by way of his choose and roll navigation. The sport appeared in-hand for the Eagles as they constructed up a 71-58 lead with six minutes to go.
St. John’s with their backs towards the wall, began taking part in excellent protection once more, forcing three turnovers and permitting no discipline objectives the remainder of the sport. The power on protection transferred to the offense as Jenkins and Soriano got here alive, scoring 12 of the group’s final 14 factors. Regardless of the late surge and three straight misses from a 90% free throw shooter in Kolek, the Johnnies couldn’t money a number of makes an attempt to take the lead. It was extra supporting proof to Coach Pitino’s declare of “not being an awesome group by any stretch of creativeness.”
The potential to be an awesome group stays with this Johnnies squad nonetheless. Jenkins had an uncharacteristically poor sport playmaking. One of many Massive East’s leaders in assist-to-turnover ratio, he had 4 assists to 6 turnovers. Main scorer and rebounder Soriano hasn’t made the identical influence as earlier this season, throughout an important stretch of video games towards Creighton, Seton Corridor, and now Marquette. St. John’s have did not deal with enterprise going 2-5 towards Quad 1 groups. They’ll have to discover ways to step as much as the competitors and shut a sport towards high opponents. St. John’s subsequent sport is on this Wednesday towards Villanova within the Backyard.
Marquette snagged a win in a packed and fired up Madison Sq. Backyard. If they will win on this venue towards a gifted St. John’s squad, they will win anyplace in March. The Backyard is the place they claimed final yr’s Massive East title, and the identical place they’ll go this yr to defend it. Marquette are winners of two straight trying to prolong their streak at DePaul on January twenty fourth, earlier than a extremely anticipated rematch towards Seton Corridor at house January twenty seventh.
This text was written by Justin Maldonado, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You’ll be able to comply with us on Fb, or on twitter.
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