St. John’s earns huge win over Seton Hall in Big East quarterfinals to likely punch March Madness ticket

This was a victory 24 years in the making.

Over two decades of Big East Tournament futility. Treating its home arena like a nomad. Blowing one big lead after another.

Thursday afternoon, it finally ended. 

St. John’s Red Storm guard RJ Luis Jr. (12) and St. John’s Red Storm guard Simeon Wilcher (7) react after Luis Jr. scored a basket as time expired ending the first half on March 14, 2024. Charles Wenzelberg/NY Post

St. John’s played a strong game. It looked at home at the Garden. And now, after this commanding 91-72 win over fourth-seeded Seton Hall, it is headed back to Friday night’s semifinals for the first time since 2000.

And with that victory, the No. 5 Johnnies’ sixth in a row, they are likely headed to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019. 

This was billed as a must-have for Rick Piitno’s team by almost all bracketologists. St. John’s answered the bell, as it has for over three weeks now, in beating the rival Pirates for the first time in three tries.

It will meet second-ranked and top-seeded Connecticut in a blockbuster semifinal at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. 

The Red Storm left no doubt coming out of the locker room following halftime, reeling off six consecutive points.

Rick Pitino reacts during St. John’s win over Seton Hall on March 14, 2024. Charles Wenzelberg/NY Post

Seton Hall (20-12) never got closer than seven. Pitino’s team took it to the Pirates, winning the battle on the glass by 10, owning the paint (42-26) and shooting 52 percent from the field.

It was also 19-of-20 from the free-throw line. 

The Ivy League transfers, Jordan Dingle and Chris Ledlum, continued their late-season ascension, combining to score 25 points. RJ Luis led the way with 18 points and nine rebounds and Joel Soriano enjoyed his best performance in weeks, producing 14 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. Nahiem Alleyne added 14 points off the bench and Daniss Jenkins had 11 points and four assists in 22 foul-plagued minutes. 

Al-Amir Dawes had 22 points for Seton Hall, but his two co-stars, Kadary Richmond and Dre Davis, were held in check.

They were limited to 21 points on 6-of-20 shooting. Despite the loss, the Pirates are still likely going dancing, although a trip to Dayton for the First Four could be their penalty for this one-sided setback. 

Seton Hall couldn’t miss from deep over the first 20 minutes. St. John’s (20-12) owned the paint. It was not expected based on the first two meetings. 

Seton Hall Pirates guard Dylan Addae-Wusu (0) driving to the basket in the first half against St. John’s on March 14, 2024. Charles Wenzelberg/NY Post

The 3-point shot kept the Pirates close. They were 7 of 13 from deep, with Dylan Addae-Wusu hitting three triples.

The Johnnies outscored them 26-8 inside and took a five-point lead into the break when Luis beat the buzzer with a pull-up jumper.

The Johnnies started the second half hot, scoring on their first three possessions to push their lead into double figures for the first time.

When Dingle sank a 3-pointer, the lead was 14 with 12:48 to go. 

Seton Hall reeled off seven consecutive points, but it stopped there. Alleyne hit a 3-pointer. Luis sank two free throws and Dingle drilled an open 3, extending it to a 15-point bulge with 9:11 to go.