MILWAUKEE — Joel Soriano’s struggles hit a new low Saturday.
The St. John’s center didn’t start the second half, replaced by backup Zuby Ejiofor.
Coach Rick Pitino was upset that Soriano had picked up a technical foul late in the first half and didn’t want him to get an early foul after the intermission.
Soriano wound up logging just 17 minutes, equaling a season-low, and managed just two points and five rebounds in the Johnnies’ 86-75 loss to Marquette at sold-out Fiserv Forum.
St. John’s season in Big East play has mirrored Soriano, the team’s captain.
It was at its best early on, getting off to a 4-1 start when the Yonkers native was thriving.
Joel Soriano, who struggled again, defends Tyler Kolek during St. John’s 86-75 loss to Marquette. Getty Images Since, it has lost six of its last eight games and Soriano has slumped badly.
In that span, he is averaging 11.3 points and 8.1 rebounds.
In the first five conference games, he posted 16.4 points and 10.4 rebounds.
Against Marquette, Ejiofor outplayed him, notching five points, seven rebounds and two blocks in 23 minutes. The Kansas transfer has picked up his play of late, particularly on the defensive end, where Soriano’s struggles have been most apparent.
Zuby Ejiofor, who started the second half in place of Joel Soriano, looks to make a pass as Oso Ighodaro defends during St. John’s loss. Getty Images What upset Pitino the most was the technical foul in which Soriano gave Marquette forward Oso Ighodaro a light shove from behind after fouling him. It was his second personal foul.
“I’m frustrated only because he got a technical foul for no rhyme or reason,” Pitino said. “You get your second foul now you can’t start him in the second half.
Zuby played well, I had no problem with that.”
Freshmen Brady Dunlap and Simeon Wilcher didn’t play.
Wilcher has sat for the entirety of two of the last three games.
St. John’s has lost six straight games to Marquette. … The Johnnies have dropped four straight games on the road.
