All of a sudden, the Big East is up for grabs.
St. John’s made a loud statement Friday night that it belongs in the same conversation with Connecticut, that the powerhouse Huskies are not in a weight class of their own.
This version of the Red Storm, the one that has gone from a disappointment to a March contender over the last five weeks in winning nine straight games, outlasted UConn at a raucous and sold-out Garden, 81-72.
The two teams are now tied atop the conference, with one meeting to go in Hartford, Conn., on Feb. 25.
The Johnnies closed out third-ranked UConn by locking it down on the defensive end, getting big plays from Dylan Darling, Zuby Ejiofor and Dillon Mitchell, and now have an elite win to go atop their NCAA Tournament résumé.
Over the final 4:46, No. 22 St. John’s outscored Connecticut, 15-7, and handed Dan Hurley’s team its first loss at full strength this season.
Ejiofor was by far the best player on the floor, finishing with an absurd line of 21 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, three blocks and two steals.
Mitchell followed with 15 points and six rebounds and Bryce Hopkins added 14 points and six rebounds.
Darling added nine points and two assists, all after halftime.
Alex Karaban scored 17 for Connecticut.