In a thrilling showdown at Madison Square Garden, the top-ranked UConn Huskies pulled off a decisive 77-64 victory over the St. John's Red Storm on Saturday. Led by Cam Spencer's impressive 23-point performance and Stephon Castle's season-best 21 points, the defending national champions extended their winning streak to 10 games.
UConn, who played without the injured forward Alex Karaban, showcased their dominance throughout the game. Tristen Newton contributed significantly with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, displaying his versatility on the court. The Huskies' victory also marked their second win this season against St. John's, as their winning streak started with a 69-65 victory over the Red Storm on December 23.
On the other side, St. John's struggled to find their rhythm, losing five of their last six games after a promising start in conference play. Daniss Jenkins was the leading scorer for the Red Storm with 19 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome UConn's relentless performance. Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino's team faltered, and their leading scorer Joel Soriano was contained to just six points and four rebounds, well below his season averages.
The game saw both teams trading leads and jockeying for control. St. John's briefly took the lead with a fast-break dunk off a steal by Chris Ledlum, but Cam Spencer quickly responded with a crucial 3-pointer to put the Huskies back on top. UConn then went on an 8-0 run, highlighted by a three-point play from Tristen Newton and two clutch free throws from Stephon Castle, leading them to a commanding 69-54 advantage with 6:40 left in the game.
Stephon Castle had an excellent first half, scoring 12 points, but a buzzer-beating jumper by Nahiem Alleyne gave St. John's a slim 37-36 edge going into halftime. However, UConn's resilience and strong second-half performance proved too much for the Red Storm to handle.
The Huskies' victory at Madison Square Garden continued their undefeated record at the iconic venue this season. UConn's next challenge will be hosting Butler on Tuesday night as they aim to extend their winning streak further. Having won all eight previous matchups against Butler, including the 2011 NCAA championship game, the Huskies are determined to maintain their dominance.
Meanwhile, St. John's will look to bounce back from their recent struggles as they prepare to host DePaul in their first Big East home game at the UBS Arena, home of the NHL's New York Islanders. In an effort to rally their fans, the first 4,000 attendees will receive Pitino bobbleheads, adding to the excitement surrounding the matchup.
As UConn continues their quest to repeat as national champions, their impressive victory over St. John's serves as a testament to their strength and determination. With their winning streak intact, the Huskies are poised for success as they aim to make history in the upcoming Big East Tournament and beyond.
