NEW YORK – RJ Luis Jr. scored all but two of his 29 points after halftime and No. 6 St. John’s made 14 straight shots from the field in the second half to beat Creighton 82-66 on Saturday night for its first Big East Tournament title in 25 years.
Zuby Ejiofor added 20 points and Kadary Richmond had 12 points and 12 rebounds for the top-seeded Red Storm (30-4), who reached 30 wins for the third time in program history before a roaring hometown crowd at sold-out Madison Square Garden.
They earned the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament for their first trip since 2019, making 72-year-old Hall of Famer Rick Pitino the first coach to take six schools to the Big Dance.
The others were Boston University, Providence, Kentucky, Louisville and Iona.
“For all the St. John’s fans, this is for you!” Pitino proclaimed during a postgame interview on the court, pausing to remove falling confetti from his lips. “St. John’s is New York’s team!”
Pitino, in his second season with the Johnnies, also became the first coach to win the Big East Tournament at two schools. He’s won three times in his last four seasons in the league, after guiding Louisville to championships in 2009, 2012 and 2013.
“I saved the best for last,” Pitino said to loud cheers from the crowd of 19,812.
Luis, the Big East Player of the Year, also grabbed 10 rebounds and was selected the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. He was draped in a Dominican Republic flag as fans chanted “MVP! MVP!” after the game.
“I’m so excited. I couldn’t be more blessed for this opportunity,” Luis said. “We’re going to keep on going.”
Ryan Kalkbrenner scored 15 for second-seeded Creighton (24-10), which fell to 0-5 in Big East championship games since joining the conference for the 2013-14 season.
“It’s hard to get to this game, let’s be honest,” coach Greg McDermott said. “We’ve been fortunate to be here quite a few times. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to finish the job.”
After winning their first outright regular-season conference championship in 40 years, this was the fourth Big East Tournament title for the resurgent Johnnies, who made the championship game for the first time since winning the 2000 trophy under Mike Jarvis. The previous two came in the 1980s under Hall of Fame coach Lou Carnesecca, who died Nov. 30 about five weeks shy of his 100th birthday.
“To finally get over the hump, it’s really an unbelievable feeling,” Ejiofor said. “I’m so happy to be a part of history.”
And after the Red Storm cut down the nets at MSG, a message appeared on the giant video screen above center court: “For Looie.”
“He would be so proud of this team,” said Pitino, who grew up in New York City and has quickly rebuilt St. John’s into a national power again late in his illustrious but checkered coaching career.
“Humility is a big part of my life right now. It wasn’t always that way,” he added.
Luis was whistled for his second foul with 7:19 left before halftime and sat out the rest of the half.
After falling behind by eight early, St. John’s finally took its first lead at 43-41 with 11:55 remaining when backup big man Vince Iwuchukwu scored left-handed in the post over the 7-foot-1 Kalkbrenner, the four-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year.
That came 33 seconds after Ejiofor converted a tying three-point play that began a streak of 14 consecutive made field goals for the Johnnies, giving them a 70-55 lead. Several were fast-break layups, although Luis drained a pair of 3-pointers and Aaron Scott nailed one of his own before Ejiofor finally missed a jumper with less than five minutes left.
By then, the Red Storm had gone more than 7 1/2 minutes without missing a shot, and they connected on 17 of their final 19 field goal attempts. Quite an offensive display for a team that entered the game shooting 45% from floor.
“Congrats to St. John’s. They’ve had a remarkable year. Dominated our league and pretty much saved their best for this conference tournament,” McDermott said. “They just wear into you over time.”
By the numbers
St. John’s has won nine straight games, and 19 of 20 since the new year. The team finished 21-0 on its home courts, including 12-0 at MSG — the program’s most wins at The Garden since compiling 13 in 1958-59. The last time the Johnnies finished unbeaten at home was the 1931-32 season.
Creighton injury
Bluejays reserve Fedor Zugic injured his right ankle with 11:23 left in the first half and had to be helped off the court toward the locker room. He didn’t return.
Key stat
Creighton, which entered shooting 74% on free throws, missed six of its first eight from the line and finished 8 for 16.
Up next
Creighton: Headed to its fifth straight NCAA Tournament when the brackets are revealed Sunday.
St. John’s: Hasn’t won an NCAA Tournament game in 25 years. Pitino and the streaking Red Storm seem likely to receive a No. 2 seed Sunday.
“We still have a lot to prove. We’re not done,” Ejiofor said.
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