Huskies Cruise to 32-Point Victory

HARTFORD, Conn. – No. 6 UConn delivered a dominant performance Wednesday night, defeating No. 15 St. John’s 72-40. The Red Storm struggled offensively, particularly in the second half, resulting in their largest defeat under head coach Rick Pitino and the fewest points scored by a team he has led in his entire career.

Second-Half Collapse for St. John’s

St. John’s managed just 14 points in the second half, making only two field goals. The Red Storm endured a staggering shooting drought, missing their final 24 field goal attempts over a span of 17 minutes and 28 seconds. This extended scoreless stretch is the longest by a ranked team and a Big East team in the past eight seasons, and the longest by any Division I team since 2022.

The final score represented the fewest points a Pitino-led team has ever scored, surpassing a previous low of 43 points set in 1981 whereas coaching Boston University.

Pitino Accepts Blame

It’s all on me, Pitino said. I’m very disappointed in our performance offensively, especially. Sharing the ball, moving the ball. It’s all on me.

Rick Pitino

Despite the lopsided loss, Pitino remained focused on the team’s remaining goals. He emphasized the importance of preparing for Villanova and continuing to compete for the league championship.

We’ll get ready for Villanova. We’re still playing for a league championship. It doesn’t matter whether you lose by one or 40, the league championship is still at stake. Obviously, we have to craft our corrections and move on.

Rick Pitino

UConn’s Dominant Performance

Tarris Reed Jr. Led UConn with 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Alex Karaban contributed 14 points. UConn shot 47% from the field. The victory allowed the Huskies (26-3) to regain the lead in the Big East standings.

St. John’s Struggles

Joson Sanon was the only St. John’s player to score in double figures, finishing with 10 points. The Red Storm shot just 11-of-56 from the floor and 5-of-20 from behind the arc. The loss snapped a 13-game winning streak, bringing their record to 22-6.

Looking Ahead

St. John’s will look to rebound Saturday against Villanova at Madison Square Garden. The Red Storm will demand a strong finish to the regular season and some help from other teams to secure a second consecutive Big East title.

FAQ

• What was the final score of the game? UConn 72, St. John’s 40.
• Who led UConn in scoring? Tarris Reed Jr. With 20 points.
• What is Rick Pitino’s take on the loss? He took full responsibility, stating, It’s all on me.