QUEENS, NY — No. 5 ranked St. John’s, with high expectations, came out of the gate hot Monday night to open its 2025-2026 season, steamrolling the Quinnipiac Bobcats, 108-74, at Carnesecca Arena.
The Red Storm eruption of 108 points marked the most in a game by the Johnnies since the 2021-2022 season (Nov. 9th, 2021 vs. Mississippi State: 119-61), a time when head coach Rick Pitino was at the helm of Iona, and the majority of the individuals on the court were still in high school.
Like Tampa, Florida native Dillon Mitchell, a senior forward out of Montverde Academy, St. John’s leading-scorer in Monday’s 34-point blowout, dropping 18 points across 26 minutes with seven rebounds, four steals and a pair of assists.
As well as senior forward Zuby Ejiofor from Garland, Texas, the Preseason Big East Conference Player of the Year, who attended Garland High School, compiling 17 points on 24 minutes, while stacking up six boards, three assists and a block.
“The one thing that stood out from an ultra-positive standpoint was our mentality going into the game,” said the 73-year-old Hall of Fame coach Pitino.
“From when the ball was thrown up to the end, we had an intense, aggressive mindset. We made our mistakes, as you always do in a first game, but overall, I couldn’t be more pleased.”
Mitchell and Ejiofor were just two of five Johnnies to finish with double-digits in the scoring column as Ian Jackson (15 pts), Joson Sanon (14 pts), and Sadiku Ibine Ayo (10 pts), each let loose from beyond the arc—combining for a 5-5 night from three point land.
As a team, St. John’s, taking the lead at the 19:35 mark of the first half, and never letting up, leading by as many as 45 points—shot 39-69 overall (56.5%), 8-19 from three (42.1%), and 22-34 from the free throw line (64.7%).
St. John’s Ian Jackson shot a perfect 6-6 clip from the field in Monday’s win for 15 points with three successful three point makes – Image Credit: St. John’s Men’s Basketball
Quinnipiac’s head coach Tom Pecora credited the Red Storm’s defensive versatility and unity, which all ties back to Pitino and his coaching staff in preparing St. John’s over the summer during intense practices and throughout autumn, included with two exhibition matchups vs. Towson and No. 7 Michigan, prior to Monday.
“They came out and played like a top-10 team in the country,” Pecora said of the Red Storm, recording 25 assists, a dozen steals, and three blocks. “They did a great job defending us, not letting us get into our actions and their effort on the glass was relentless. You can see how well-coached they are and how connected they play.”
What’s Ahead?
The Red Storm’s first legitimate test of the young 2025-2026 College Hoops season.
No. 5 St. John’s (1-0) will take on No. 15 Alabama (1-0), this coming Saturday, November 8th, at Madison Square Garden with tipoff scheduled for 12:00PM ET on FOX Sports 1.
No. 5 St. John’s is set to host No. 15 Alabama at “The World’s Most Famous Arena” this coming Saturday at noon – Image Credit: Tomasso DeRosa/Latino Sports
The Crimson Tide, coached by Nate Oats, reached the Elite Eight this past March in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, and have appeared in March Madness in each of the last five seasons dating back to 2020.
On the top 15-ranked matchup looming this weekend, Pitino said, “Alabama is the most unique team to play against in the country. I played against them twice—once in the NCAA (March Madness Tournament) with Iona and once in the regular season with Iona. And it’s a track meet. Fortunately, I think we can play that style. They’re very well coached. Nate’s a good friend of mine, so we’re looking forward to it.”
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