St. John’s Edged by Seton Hall in Gritty Quarterfinal, 63-61

By: J.J. Pavlick | Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT | March 7, 2026

In a game that epitomized the razor-thin margins of postseason basketball, St. John’s fell 63-61 to Seton Hall, undone by a late drought and a season-high in turnovers despite a gallant comeback effort. The Red Storm’s resolve kept them within striking distance until the final horn, but critical mistakes and a hot hand from Seton Hall’s Jordana Codio spelled heartbreak in the Big East tournament.

First-Half Struggles and a Big Climb

The Red Storm faced adversity almost immediately, falling behind by double digits as Seton Hall’s pressure defense forced turnover after turnover. St. John’s coughed up the ball 13 times in the first half, leading directly to 20 Seton Hall points. The Pirates, meanwhile, found a rhythm from beyond the arc, led by Codio, who finished with a game-high 31 points (including 7 three-pointers).

Despite the mounting deficit, St. John’s never let the game get away. They chipped away behind the steady hand of Jailah Donald, whose leadership was evident not just in her 15 points but in her poise against Seton Hall’s aggressive traps.

Second-Half Adjustments and the Battle Back

St. John’s came out of halftime with renewed energy and focus, making clear tactical changes. They tightened their ball security, adjusted their rotation to keep more ball-handlers on the floor, and increased defensive intensity—especially on the glass, where they outrebounded Seton Hall 28-24 for the game.

Coach Joe Tartamella pointed to these adjustments postgame:

“When we were doing well, we were defending at a high level, clearing the glass, not turning the ball over… I thought we were more locked in in terms of execution.”

The Red Storm offense found its groove in the third quarter, shooting nearly 58% from the floor, with Shaulana Wagner (11 points, 7 assists) orchestrating the offense and making key plays. Brooke Moore (11 points) provided a crucial scoring spark, and Sa’Mya Wyatt came alive late, capping a 12-4 run with a turnaround jumper that gave St. John’s a 61-62 lead with 48 seconds left.

Key Moments and Missed Opportunities

The game swung on a handful of late possessions. After Wyatt’s clutch jumper, St. John’s had a defensive stop in hand, but another turnover—one of five in the final five minutes—handed Seton Hall extra chances. The Pirates capitalized at the foul line, with Codio sinking two free throws to retake the lead.

St. John’s had one final shot, but a contested jumper missed its mark. In the end, the Red Storm went without a field goal for the final 4:15, a drought that proved fatal. Seton Hall’s ability to force mistakes and make free throws down the stretch highlighted a key difference between the teams.

Statistical Deep Dive

• Turnovers: St. John’s 22 turnovers led to 31 Pirate points—over half of Seton Hall’s total offense.
• Shooting: The Red Storm shot a robust 51% from the field and an efficient 42% (8-19) from three, but the volume of giveaways offset their shooting advantage.
• Rebounding: St. John’s won the rebounding battle 28-24, including 10 offensive boards, which helped keep them in the game.
• Bench Production: Key minutes from Kylie Lavelle (5 points, 4 rebounds) and Janeya Grant (7 points, 5 boards) provided a needed boost, especially as the starters battled foul trouble.

Leadership and Growth

Coach Joe Tartamella and Wyatt both emphasized the team’s resilience and growth throughout the season:

“To give up 31 points off turnovers and still be in the game at the end is, I guess, remarkable. They fought their way through a game where we struggled to find rhythm and lineups that would work… I’m proud of how they played this year.”

Wyatt added:

“We’re going to resume just to come back from being down. We played hard. I give my team all the props for that. It’s a hard loss, but… We’ll be right back.”

Donald’s leadership was particularly crucial, as Coach noted:

“She had that air of a veteran that she needed… She was steady today. That’s one guy I would say that was pretty steady for the entire game.”

Tactical Takeaways

• Defensive Execution: When St. John’s was able to set its half-court defense, they limited Seton Hall’s looks, especially inside. The breakdowns came in transition after turnovers.
• Lineup Changes: Coach experimented with different rotations to find the right balance of ball-handlers and defensive stoppers, especially as Seton Hall’s press wore on the starters.
• Late-Game Offense: The Red Storm struggled to generate clean looks in the closing minutes, a recurring issue when teams ramp up the pressure.

Season Perspective and Next Steps

While the loss stings, St. John’s leaves Mohegan Sun Arena with its head held high. The team’s ability to rally, adjust, and nearly overcome a barrage of turnovers is a testament to their growth and toughness. The Red Storm will regroup, focus on limiting turnovers, and look to their experienced leaders as they await their postseason assignment.

“We’ll need to evaluate, make necessary adjustments, and I’m confident in our ability to bounce back and continue our success,” Coach concluded.

Final Thoughts:
The margin between heartbreak and celebration was slim, but St. John’s showed the type of character and resolve that bodes well for the future—and for the challenges of March still to come.

March doesn’t forgive mistakes, and tonight St. John’s learned that the hard way. If you want every bruise, every run, every Dawg‑fight moment straight from the arena floor, join the pack for just $2/year. Real coverage. Real emotions!