Creighton’s Tourney Run Ends in Title Game to No. 6 St. John's

NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Sixth-ranked St. John's made 14 straight shots in the second half and won its first BIG EAST Tournament title since 2000 with an 82-66 win over Creighton on Saturday night in front of a sold out crowd of 19,812 at Madison Square Garden.

Creighton started the game with a 10-2 run to force a quick timeout from BIG EAST Coach of the Year Rick Pitino, getting two baskets by Ryan Kalkbrenner, and three-pointers from Jackson McAndrew and Jamiya Neal. Creighton made seven straight shots at one point before a 1-for-11 drought that saw the Red Storm climb within one at 22-21. The Bluejays never trailed in the opening 20 minutes and took a 28-25 lead into the break, paced by nine and five rebounds by Neal.  Zuby Ejiofor contributed seven points and three assists to pace the Johnnies.

RJ Luis Jr. scored nine of the Johnnies' first 13 points out of the break and hit a corner three-pointer to create the game's first tie at 38-all with 14:26 left, and the Red Storm took their first lead two minutes later at 43-41 on a hoop by Vince Iwuchukwu. Just as it looked like the Red Storm was pulling away with a 49-44 lead, the Bluejays answered with a long two by Isaac Traudt to beat the shot clock and a dunk in transition by Neal cut the Red Storm's lead to 49-48 with 9:05 remaining. CU never got any closer.

Three straight lay-ups in a span of 46 seconds moved the Johnnies lead to 58-50 with 7:28 to go. That was part of a seven-minute stretch in which the Red Storm made 14 straight shots, eventually moving in front 70-55. With a raucous crowd supporting them, the Red Storm's margin remained in double-figures the rest of the way. 

CU had four starters in double-figures, paced by 15 points from Kalkbrenner, while McAndrew added in 14 points and six rebounds. Jasen Green had three steals. CU shot 43.3 perfect from the field and 23.1 percent from three-point land, while shooting 50 percent (8-of-16) from the free throw line. 

Luis Jr. had 27 of his 29 points in the second half to lead St. John's and added 10 rebounds. Fellow All-BIG EAST pick Zuby Ejiofor had 20 points, while Kadary Richmond had 12 points and 12 rebounds . The Johnnies shot 52.3 percent for the game and after entering the day 341st nationally in three-point percentage (.300), made 50.0 percent on Saturday.

Creighton will await its NCAA Tournament destination on Sunday night at 5 p.m. when it hosts a public viewing party inside D.J. Sokol Arena to watch the Selection Show on CBS. Doors will open at 4 p.m.