**St. John’s Wins Big East Tournament Title Under Rick Pitino**
St. John’s University secured its first Big East Tournament title in 25 years by defeating Creighton 82-66 on Saturday night. The victory, led by Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino, marks a significant achievement for the program. The game took place at Madison Square Garden, where St. John’s showcased a remarkable second-half performance after trailing at halftime.
### Key Highlights from the Game
– **Outstanding Performances**: RJ Luis Jr. scored 29 points, with 27 coming in the second half, while Zuby Ejiofor contributed 20 points.
– **Second-Half Surge**: St. John’s made 14 consecutive field goals during the second half, turning the game around decisively.
– **Historical Significance**: This win grants St. John’s an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019.
### Coach Pitino’s Reflections
Rick Pitino expressed his pride in the team’s performance and the significance of the victory for the university and the city of New York. He stated, “We just wanted to play every game in the Big East Tournament as if it was the first round, second round, and third round [of the NCAA Tournament]. We did that. The pressure was mounting on us, but we came through in a big way.”
Pitino humorously shared his plans to celebrate the win, saying, “I’m gonna drink a quart of Jameson’s.” He also noted the pride he feels as a New Yorker, emphasizing that St. John’s truly represents the city.
### Looking Ahead
St. John’s is anticipated to receive a No. 2 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament, further solidifying its return to prominence in college basketball.
**FAQs:**
**What does St. John’s victory in the Big East Tournament mean for the team?**
The victory marks St. John’s first Big East Tournament title in 25 years and secures an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, highlighting the team’s resurgence under Coach Rick Pitino.
**URL Slug**: st-johns-big-east-tournament-title-2023
**Alt Text**: St. John’s basketball team celebrating their Big East Tournament victory.
