Queens, N.Y. – The No. 5 St. John’s men’s basketball team shook off a sluggish first half to dominate Towson in the second half, securing a 73-63 exhibition victory at Carnesecca Arena on Saturday. The Red Storm’s defensive intensity and offensive balance in the final 20 minutes proved decisive, showcasing the championship-caliber team that Head Coach Rick Pitino has built.
St. John’s trailed 29-21 at halftime after a sloppy opening half marked by defensive lapses and offensive stagnation. But the Red Storm emerged from the locker room transformed, outscoring the Tigers 52-34 in the second half—a dominant display that highlighted the team’s elite potential and championship mentality.
Second-Half Surge Defines the Victory
The turning point came early in the second half when St. John’s clamped down defensively and began moving the ball with purpose. The Red Storm shot 50% from the field and an impressive 84% from the free-throw line in the final 20 minutes, demonstrating the offensive efficiency that defined their historic 2024-25 campaign.
Bryce Hopkins emerged as a catalyst off the bench, delivering 13 points and providing the energy and aggression that Pitino demanded. Fresh off two of his best practices since arriving at St. John’s, Hopkins attacked the rim relentlessly and helped spark the second-half turnaround.
“The last two days had the best two practices of the season,” Pitino said of Hopkins. “He was awesome. I wasn’t trying to send a message to Bryce; I was trying to teach him about greatness. And greatness doesn’t happen without practicing great.”
Sadiku Ibine Ayo, the Red Storm’s team captain, contributed 9 points. He played off the bench and provided veteran leadership during crucial stretches. Dillon Mitchell anchored the frontcourt with 8 points and 5 rebounds. His playmaking and defensive versatility proved invaluable in the second half.
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Defensive Adjustments Turn the Tide
St. John’s’ first-half defensive struggles were stark: Towson shot 38.5% from three-point range and built a 10-point lead. Exploiting gaps in the Red Storm’s perimeter defense. Pitino was direct about the problem.
“If your hands are down and you’re not challenging threes, you’re coming out of the game,” Pitino said. “The way this team can beat us is from the three-point line. That’s the great equalizer of size, talent, and everything else. We did a very poor job of that in the first half.”
The adjustment was immediate and effective. In the second half, St. John’s held Towson to just 16.7% from three-point range (2-for-12). A dramatic reversal that proved decisive. The Red Storm’s length, athleticism, and discipline on the perimeter became suffocating, forcing the Tigers into difficult shots and turnovers.
St Johns Player warming up pre-game. Mandatory Credit: Bad Dawg Sports / Sebastian Zelaya St. John’s Red Storm center Handje Tamba from the Republic of the Congo prepares for the exhibition game against Towson at Carnesecca Arena. Tamba’s size, athleticism, and defensive prowess are crucial to St. John’s’ championship-level team. The No. 5-ranked Red Storm’s versatile frontcourt, anchored by Tamba’s presence in the paint, was instrumental in the 73-63 victory over Towson. Tamba’s elite defensive intensity and shot-blocking ability exemplify the championship-caliber talent Rick Pitino has assembled. Mandatory Credit: Bad Dawg Sports / Sebastian Zelaya St. John’s Red Storm Head Coach Rick Pitino watches intently from the sideline during the exhibition game against Towson at Carnesecca Arena. Pitino’s championship-level coaching and strategic adjustments were on full display as St. John’s rallied from an 8-point halftime deficit to dominate the second half and secure a 73-63 victory. Pitino’s ability to adapt, teach, and elevate his players exemplifies why the No. 5-ranked Red Storm are championship contenders this season. Mandatory Credit: Bad Dawg Sports / Sebastian Zelaya St. John’s Red Storm guard Joson Sanon from Fall River, Massachusetts, brings the ball up the court during the exhibition game against Towson at Carnesecca Arena. Sanon’s playmaking and ball-handling were crucial to St. John’s’ offensive execution in the 73-63 victory, as the No. 5-ranked Red Storm dominated the second half with balanced scoring and elite ball movement. Sanon’s court vision and leadership exemplify the championship-caliber talent Rick Pitino has assembled. Mandatory Credit: Bad Dawg Sports / Sebastian Zelaya St. John’s Red Storm forward Dillon Mitchell throws down a dunk during the second-half comeback against Towson at Carnesecca Arena. Mitchell’s versatility, ball movement, and aggressive finishing were crucial to St. John’s’ dominant second-half performance, as the No. 5-ranked Red Storm outscored Towson 52-34 to secure a 73-63 victory. Mitchell’s all-around play exemplifies the depth and championship-caliber talent Rick Pitino has assembled. Credit: Bad Dawg Sports / Sebastian Zelaya St. John’s Red Storm forward Zuby Ejiofor rises to block a Towson shot attempt during the exhibition game at Carnesecca Arena. The BIG EAST Most Improved Player’s defensive intensity was on full display as St. John’s held Towson to just 16.7% from three-point range in the second half, a dramatic improvement from the first-half struggles. Ejiofor’s versatility on both ends of the court exemplifies the championship-caliber defense that Rick Pitino has built at St. John’s. Credit: Bad Dawg Sports / Sebastian Zelaya St. John’s Red Storm guard Ian Jackson throws down a powerful dunk during the second-half comeback against Towson at Carnesecca Arena. Jackson’s aggressive play and finishing at the rim helped spark St. John’s’ dominant 52-34 second-half outburst, as the No. 5-ranked Red Storm rallied from an 8-point halftime deficit to defeat the Tigers 73-63. Credit: Bad Dawg Sports / Sebastian Zelaya
Learning Moments for Championship Contenders
Despite the victory, Pitino emphasized that this exhibition served as a teaching tool rather than a referendum on the team’s readiness. Several key players—including BIG EAST Most Improved Player Zuby Ejiofor—struggled to find their rhythm against Towson’s physical defense.
Ejiofor, who led the Red Storm to a BIG EAST Championship and NCAA Tournament victory last season, was held to just 9 points on 2-for-10 shooting. Pitino used the moment to reinforce a critical lesson about adapting to defensive pressure.
“Zuby, I’ve been trying to hit him over the head with a sledgehammer, telling him how they’re going to come after him,” Pitino explained. “They’re going to block him out with everything they can. He’s going to be a marked man every single game. I use the analogy of what made Michael Jordan so great: in the first half he got his teammates the ball, got movement, and in the fourth quarter he’ll score 35 points. Zuby’s got to learn that—not to get flustered, just get the other guys the basketball.”
Versatile Frontcourt Shines in Closing Minutes
One of the most encouraging developments came late in the game when Pitino deployed a three-forward lineup featuring Hopkins, Mitchell, and Reuben Prey. The versatility and ball movement of that combination proved nearly impossible for Towson to defend, with Dylan Darling functioning as a point forward and orchestrating the offense.
“Dylan’s a point forward,” Pitino noted. “He’s always looking to pass. He really understands how to play. He’s a very good passer. Bryce and Zuby are really power players, so they play off each other very well.”
This flexibility—a hallmark of Pitino’s system—could prove crucial as St. John’s navigates a challenging schedule that includes a top-10 matchup against Michigan at Madison Square Garden on October 25.
Looking Ahead
For all the second-half dominance, Pitino tempered expectations. Several key contributors—including transfer Oziyah Sellers and freshman Dylan Darling—underperformed by their standards. Joson Sanon, one of the nation’s top transfer portal acquisitions, managed just 9 points and zero assists in 28 minutes.
“We didn’t have anybody really play great tonight, and we were good enough defensively to make it happen,” Pitino said. “We’re going to play much better than this, but for a first game out, I was very pleased.”
The Red Storm’s historic preseason ranking, No. 5, the highest in program history—comes with championship expectations. Saturday’s exhibition revealed both the ceiling and the work ahead. With elite defensive potential and a versatile roster, St. John’s has the tools to compete at the highest level. But as Pitino made clear, greatness requires more than talent—it demands relentless practice, discipline, and the willingness to learn from every possession.
Match Summary
| Team | 1st Half | 2nd Half | Final |
|---|---|---|---|
| Towson | 29 | 34 | 63 |
| St. John’s | 21 | 52 | 73 |
Key Performances
St. John’s (73): Bryce Hopkins 13 pts, Sadiku Ibine Ayo 9 pts, Joson Sanon 9 pts, Zuby Ejiofor 9 pts, Oziyah Sellers 9 pts, Dillon Mitchell 8 pts, Dylan Darling 4 pts
Towson (63): Jack Doumbia 20 pts, Dylan Williamson 17 pts, Tyler Tejada 13 pts
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