This was a fight. Not just any fight—a desperate, back-against-the-wall, season-on-the-line scrap between two Big East rivals. St. John’s came in hot, riding a 10-game winning streak, flexing the muscle of a team that had climbed into the AP Top 10 for the first time in 26 years. Villanova came in swinging, knowing they had no choice but to punch back. And when the dust settled, it was the Wildcats who delivered the final blow.
Tyler Perkins. Corner three. Eight seconds left. The dagger that sent the Red Storm packing.
But not without a fight.
With just under three minutes left, St. John’s found itself in familiar territory: down, but far from out. Kadary Richmond, the floor general, made sure of that. He weaved into the lane, hit a tough floater, and got the Red Storm within a point. Villanova responded—Eric Dixon drilling a contested three as the shot clock expired.
The crowd at Finneran Pavilion roared. St. John’s? They didn’t blink.
Aaron Scott, who carried the offense all night, drove hard and finished over two defenders. Then, RJ Luis forced a turnover, diving onto the hardwood, battling for possession like the season depended on it. Because it did.
With 27.3 seconds left, Simeon Wilcher caught the ball on the wing, took one dribble, and let it fly. Pure. St. John’s up 71-70. The bench erupted.
But Villanova still had time.
The Wildcats found Perkins, who had been hot all night. He pulled up from the right corner—just in front of his own bench—and let it fly. Swish.
Ballgame? Not yet.
Pitino didn’t even flinch. The play was drawn up. Wilcher got a good look—a deep three from straightaway. The ball hung in the air, the season’s biggest shot. Off the mark. Heartbreak.
If there was a theme in St. John’s lone weakness this season, it’s been their habit of digging themselves into holes before roaring back. This time, the comeback wasn’t enough.
Villanova blitzed out of the gates, hitting 11 of their first 16 shots, running the Red Storm off the floor early. St. John’s managed just four points in the paint in the first half. A team that usually feasts inside was forced into a three-point shootout—and it didn’t go their way. Thirty-seven attempts from deep. Only 11 makes. Too many empty trips. Too many chances wasted.
Despite that, they clawed back. A 14-0 run in the second half turned a 14-point deficit into a lead. Richmond and Scott sparked the charge. Luis cleaned up misses and kept possessions alive. It felt like another comeback win was coming. But the final three minutes were all about execution. Villanova hit their shots. St. John’s, for the first time in 11 games, did not.
No Time to Dwell—Creighton Awaits
Pitino’s team isn’t built to sulk. Not this late in the season. Not when first place in the Big East is still on the line.
This one stings, but St. John’s is still in control of its own destiny. Creighton comes to Madison Square Garden on Sunday. The team that handed them their last loss before this win streak started. Another war. Another chance to prove who they are.
And make no mistake—this St. John’s team will come swinging.
