NEW YORK (AP) — Zuby Ejiofor had 21 factors, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and three blocks as No. 13 St. John’s opened its protection of final 12 months’s Big East Tournament title by blowing out Providence 85-72 in the quarterfinals Thursday.
Bryce Hopkins added 14 factors and a season-high 13 boards in opposition to his former group, serving to the top-seeded Red Storm (26-6) advance to the semifinals Friday night at Madison Square Garden. They will play fourth-seeded Seton Hall, a 72-61 winner over No. 5 seed Creighton.
Oziyah Sellers had 14 factors and reserve Ian Jackson additionally scored 14 for the Johnnies, who topped the Friars 30-4 in bench factors and outrebounded them 51-30 in what’s anticipated to be Kim English’s final game as Providence coach.
Multiple studies citing nameless sources final week indicated the college knowledgeable English he will likely be fired after the season, his third at Providence.
St. John’s scored the primary 9 factors and led all through, constructing a 23-point cushion in the opening half. No. 9 seed Providence (15-18) trimmed it to 11 after halftime, however the Johnnies pushed it again to 24 with just a little greater than 4 minutes left.
Stefan Vaaks scored 19 of his 23 factors in the second half for the Friars, who handed St. John’s its solely Big East residence loss this season on Jan. 3 at MSG. Big East scoring champion Jaylin Sellers had 21 factors, and Ryan Mela added 16.
It was the primary assembly between the Big East constitution members since a fight-filled game on Valentine’s Day, when a raucous crowd in Providence tore into Hopkins, who transferred to St. John’s for his ultimate school season after a three-year stint with the Friars that was abbreviated by harm.
Hopkins obtained a measure of revenge Thursday with a hovering dunk on 6-foot-10 Oswin Erhunmwunse. Moments later, Hopkins gestured along with his arm after draining a 3-pointer.
Up subsequent
St. John’s received each matchups with Seton Hall in the course of the common season.
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