St. John’s captured the Legends Classic title with a dramatic 87-86 win over VCU. Creighton advanced to the title game of the Cayman Islands Classic, while Xavier lost a second-round game to San Diego State in the Maui Invitational.
Playing in his home borough of Brooklyn at Barclays Center, Shamorie Ponds scored the Johnnies’ final six points of the game, including a driving layup high off the glass to give St. John’s its first in-season tournament crown since 2011. Ponds, who was named tournament MVP, posted 35 points, seven assists and seven steals. L.J. Figueroa added 15 points and nine rebounds.