St. John's Basketball Dominates Providence in Big East Tournament 2026 First Round, 85–72
St. John's basketball delivered a commanding first-round performance at the Big East Tournament 2026, dismantling the Providence Friars 85–72 on Thursday at Madison Square Garden. The St. John's Red Storm advance to Friday's quarterfinals and will face Seton Hall at 5:30 PM ET.
St. John's Basketball Controls the Game From the Opening Tip
The St. John's basketball team wasted zero time establishing control. The Red Storm erupted for 48 points in the first half while holding Providence to just 27, building a lead as large as 24 points before the break. That kind of dominant opening half is what tournament runs are built on.
Providence basketball made a spirited push in the second half, outscoring St. John's 45–37, but the deficit was simply too steep to overcome. The Friars could never get closer than 13 points in the final stretch, and St. John's closed the door with composure.
Zuby Ejiofor and Bryce Hopkins Torch Providence Basketball
Zuby Ejiofor was the engine of the St. John's Red Storm, finishing with 21 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks on an efficient 64.3% from the field. He posted a double-double while doing damage in nearly every statistical category and was the clear standout of the St. John's basketball performance.
Bryce Hopkins added his own double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds, including 6 offensive boards that translated directly into second-chance opportunities. Hopkins was relentless on the glass and his interior presence made life miserable for Providence basketball down low.
Oziyah Sellers chipped in 14 points on 50% shooting, and Ian Jackson contributed another 14 in a balanced offensive effort across the St. John's lineup.
Providence Basketball Falls Short Despite Vaaks, Sellers Efforts
Providence basketball got strong individual efforts but could never match St. John's physicality or depth. Stefan Vaaks was exceptional, scorching the nets for 23 points on 5-of-9 from three-point range, shooting 55.6% from deep to lead all scorers.
Jaylin Sellers added 21 points for the Providence Friars, but his 9 turnovers committed as a team and a bench that produced just 4 points ultimately doomed Providence basketball's chances of pulling off the upset.
| Player | Team | PTS | REB | AST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zuby Ejiofor | St. John's | 21 | 10 | 5 |
| Stefan Vaaks | Providence | 23 | 5 | 1 |
| Jaylin Sellers | Providence | 21 | 6 | 1 |
| Bryce Hopkins | St. John's | 14 | 13 | 1 |
| Oziyah Sellers | St. John's | 14 | 2 | 2 |
| Ian Jackson | St. John's | 14 | 3 | 2 |
Big East Tournament 2026: St. John's Up Next
The Big East Tournament 2026 rolls on Friday as St. John's basketball returns to the Madison Square Garden floor. The Red Storm are set to tip off against the Seton Hall Pirates at 5:30 PM ET in the quarterfinal round.
St. John's held a significant edge in paint points, 46–36, and dominated the glass with 51 total rebounds compared to Providence's 30. The Red Storm also generated 23 fast-break points to Providence's 8, showing the kind of transition firepower that could carry them deep into the Big East Tournament 2026.
