St. John’s, Seton Hall Advance to Big East Semifinals After Decisive Quarterfinal Wins
Top-seeded St. John’s dominated Providence 85-72, and Seton Hall upset Creighton 72-61 in the Big East Tournament quarterfinals on Thursday at Madison Square Garden. The victories set a highly anticipated cross-Hudson River semifinal clash between the rival programs for Friday night. St. John’s used a commanding 21-point halftime lead to extinguish any lingering tension from a bench-clearing brawl between the teams less than a month ago.
Key Takeaways:
- St. John’s cruised past Providence, out-rebounding the Friars 51-30 behind a 21-point, 10-rebound double-double from Big East Player of the Year Zuby Ejiofor.
- Seton Hall completed a remarkable one-year turnaround from last place to the semifinals, forcing 10 Creighton turnovers to secure an 11-point victory.
- The wins arrange a local rivalry showdown in Friday’s semifinal, with St. John’s and Seton Hall splitting their two regular-season meetings.
St. John’s Exacts Control, Ends Providence’s Season
From the opening tip, St. John’s established dominance, holding Providence to just one field goal in the first eight-and-a-half minutes. The Red Storm never relinquished control, efficiently neutralizing a Providence team that had won its opening-round game a day prior. Friars coach Kim English, whose future at the school is under speculation, stated post-game, "I don’t want anyone’s sympathy… kick me while I’m down. I’ll get up."
Seton Hall’s Stunning Turnaround Reaches New Heights
Under Big East Coach of the Year Shaheen Holloway, Seton Hall continued its improbable season by handily defeating a struggling Creighton squad. The Pirates, who won only two conference games last season, capitalized on Bluejays mistakes, scoring 15 points off 10 turnovers. Budd Clark led with 16 points, while reserve Jacob Dar added a surprising 16-point contribution off the bench.
Rivalry Renewed With Semifinal Berth at Stake
The stage is now set for a high-stakes third meeting between St. John’s and Seton Hall, with a championship game appearance on the line. Both regular-season contests were decided by less than 10 points, promising a tightly contested battle. "Playing tomorrow night, Friday night, in the semifinals against St. John’s in the Garden at home, that’s what you play basketball for," said Seton Hall coach Shaheen Holloway.
Conclusion:
The Big East Tournament quarterfinals delivered both a statement performance from the conference’s top seed and a celebration of a dramatic program resurgence. The focus now shifts entirely to the New York metropolitan rivalry, as St. John’s and Seton Hall prepare for a semifinal duel with significant NCAA Tournament implications and local bragging rights in the balance.
