St. John's Men's Basketball Wins Overtime Thriller Over Xavier

Red Storm overcome second-half comeback to defeat third-ranked Musketeers

Feb. 12, 2026 at 10:07am

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The St. John's men's basketball team defeated third-ranked Xavier 87-82 in overtime in a thrilling game at Madison Square Garden. The Red Storm led for much of the game, but Xavier rallied in the second half to force overtime. In the extra period, St. John's made key free throws down the stretch to secure the victory.

Why it matters

This win over a top-ranked opponent boosts St. John's NCAA Tournament hopes and shows the team's resilience in close games. The Red Storm's defensive effort, especially in the overtime period, was crucial in holding off Xavier's late comeback.

The details

St. John's opened the game strong, with Bryce Hopkins and Zuby Ejiofor leading the way. However, Xavier's Tre Carroll, the team's leading scorer, got into foul trouble early and had to sit for extended minutes. That allowed other Musketeers players to step up, and Xavier went on an 11-2 run to take the lead. The game remained close throughout, with St. John's tying it at the end of regulation to force overtime. In the extra period, the Red Storm made their free throws and played tough defense to secure the victory.

  • The game was played on February 12, 2026.
  • St. John's and Xavier were tied 42-42 at halftime.

The players

Bryce Hopkins

A key player for St. John's who was tasked with guarding Xavier's leading scorer, Tre Carroll, and had a strong offensive performance.

Zuby Ejiofor

A frontcourt player for St. John's who had a solid all-around game, scoring 11 points and making key plays on both ends of the floor.

Tre Carroll

Xavier's leading scorer, who was limited by foul trouble for much of the game.

Dylan Darling

A St. John's player who provided a spark off the bench, making several key plays to help the Red Storm rally.

Rick Pitino

The head coach of the St. John's men's basketball team, who praised his team's defense but acknowledged they still have work to do to reach their full potential.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The Red Storm will look to build on this win when they travel to Providence this Saturday to take on the Friars.

The takeaway

This hard-fought victory over a top-ranked opponent shows the Red Storm's potential, but also highlights areas they need to improve, particularly on the defensive end. Coach Pitino will look to shore up the team's defensive intensity and execution as they continue their push towards the NCAA Tournament.