St. John’s rallies past UConn to win 10th straight

STORRS, Conn.– RJ Luis Jr. scored 6 of his 21 points in the last 2:16 to assist No. 12 St. John’s extend its winning streak to 10 games with a 68-62 resurgence victory over No. 19 UConn on Friday night.St.

John’s 10-game conference win streak is its longest because a 14-game streak during the 1984-85 season, according to ESPN research. That season was likewise the last time the Red Storm reached the Last Four.UConn led by

as many as 14 points, and with the loss, connected its second-largest blown lead since Dan Hurley took over as head coach in 2018-19, according to ESPN research.It likewise marked the

5th time this year St. John’s has actually come back from a double-digit deficit to win, tied for the most in the nation with 5 other teams.St.

John’s coach Rick Pitino said the team wasn’t utilizing the game to prove itself.

“We’re the 11th-ranked team in the country. I don’t think we have to show anyone,” Pitino said. “We’re extremely ranked. We’re No. 1 in the Big East. We play terrific basketball. We’re out to win a game, not out to show people how excellent we are. We’re the 11th- or 12th-ranked group in the country. I don’t think there’s any skeptics.”

Kadary Richmond scored all 13 of his points in the 2nd half and Simeon Wilcher included 12 for St. John’s (21-3, 12-1 Big East).

Liam McNeeley had 18 points for UConn (16-7, 8-4). Solo Ball had 13 points, while Tarris Reed Jr. had 12 points and 15 rebounds.McNeeley, who missed the

previous 8 games with an ankle injury, had 4 points in a 6-0 run by UConn to put the Huskies up by 6 with 11:16 left in the second half. The Huskies couldn’t build on it as St. John’s restored the lead on back-to-back jumpers by Luis and Richmond.Ben Gordon, who played for the Huskies from 2001 to 2004 and

was a member of a championship game group in his junior season, was inducted into the Huskies of Honor at halftime.Takeaways St. John’s: The Red Storm won despite missing out on 11 shots in a row throughout one stretch in the second half.UConn: Ball and Jaylin Stewart left to impressive shooting starts, but failed to score in the 2nd half after

combining for 22 points in the first half.Key minute With UConn leading by four, Richmond had a set of baskets during a 6-0 run to take the lead. The Red Storm would score 12 points in a

row.Key stat There were 20 points scored off turnovers, and 18 were scored by St. John’s. Up next St. John’s: Plays at Villanova on Wednesday.UConn: At Creighton on Tuesday.Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.