Returning to the AP Top 25 this week with its highest rating in a decade, St. John’s moved again into first place within the convention standings, a half-game forward of No. 10 Marquette.
RJ Luis Jr. scored all 16 of his factors after halftime, and Simeon Wilcher additionally completed with 16 for the Purple Storm. Richmond added seven rebounds, 5 assists and three steals earlier than a boisterous crowd of 14,545 at Madison Sq. Backyard.
Ryan Conwell had 21 factors for the Musketeers (12-8, 4-5), who had received three in a row. Dailyn Swain scored 16 earlier than being helped off the courtroom with an obvious leg damage late within the second half.
St. John’s level guard Deivon Smith sat out for the second time in three video games with an ailing proper shoulder he injured throughout a Jan. 11 victory over Villanova.
Takeaways
Xavier: After a gradual begin to convention play, the Musketeers are starting to indicate why they have been picked third within the league’s preseason coaches’ ballot. The schedule will get a lot simpler down the stretch, too.
St. John’s: Searching for its first Huge East regular-season title since 1992 underneath coach Lou Carnesecca. This system is off to its greatest begin since opening 20-2 in 1985-86, and the Purple Storm are 8-1 in Huge East play for the primary time since 1999.
Key second
Richmond’s driving layup with 1:03 left in regulation despatched the sport to time beyond regulation tied at 65, and St. John’s scored the primary eight factors of the additional interval — six by Ejiofor.
Key stat
St. John’s went 1-for-12 from 3-point vary and nonetheless improved to 13-0 at dwelling.
Up subsequent
Xavier: One other robust problem Saturday night time at dwelling towards No. 19 UConn, the two-time defending nationwide champion.
St. John’s: At previous rival Georgetown subsequent Tuesday night time. St. John’s rallied from 15 all the way down to beat the Hoyas 63-58 at MSG on Jan. 14.
Reporting by The Related Press.
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