St. John’s lost the battle with Xavier, the battle on the glass, and the battle with composure. This is the way the last home game ends for St. John’s, not with a bang, but with a frustrated whimper, losing to Xavier 84-73.
The Red Storm fall to 8-8 in conference and 20-9 overall, while Xavier improves to 8-8 in conference and 16-13 overall, taking over third place in the conference from St. John’s.
In the first half, Xavier exposed St. John’s weakness —interior play — and took away St. John’s strength — attacking against man defense.
With Mustapha Heron out for the second straight game with a knee injury, Sedee Keita started to keep Xavier off the boards.