It started with — who else? — Zuby Ejiofor.
Seton Hall was on a run, and the Pirates fans — and the Connecticut ones who had arrived early — were getting loud.
A 19-point lead was down to six.
There was still 4:41 left on the clock.
Then, Ejiofor scored inside.
He blocked a shot.
Joson Sanon added two free throws, and Dillon Mitchell came up with a steal.
Soon, it was a 7-0 run.
St. John’s wasn’t going to blow this lead or a chance at repeating as Big East Tournament champions.
For the first time since 1999-2000, St. John’s is headed to back-to-back conference tournament title games, after this hard-fought 78-68 victory over local rival and fourth seed Seton Hall.
Ejiofor improved to 6-1 in Big East Tournament games after finishing with 20 points and five rebounds.
Sanon added 15 points and Dillon Mitchell (six rebounds, five assists) and Bryce Hopkins (seven rebounds, four assists) each had 13.
Adam “Budd” Clark had 17 points and 11 assists for Seton Hall, which will likely miss the NCAA Tournament.
The Johnnies will meet the winner of No. 2 Connecticut/No. 11 Georgetown in the nightcap Saturday night at 6:30 p.m.
They have now won 18 of their last 19 games and have five straight Big East Tournament victories by double figures.