Sixth-Seeded St. John’s Downs 11th-Seeded Xavier in BIG EAST Tournament Opening Round, 53-48

Friday, March 6

Uncasville, Conn. (Mohegan Sun Arena)

4 p.m.

St. John's University

22-10,11-9Big East

Xavier

11-19,4-16Big East

Xavier

St. John's (NY)

Sixth-Seeded St. John’s Downs 11th-Seeded Xavier in BIG EAST Tournament Opening Round, 53-48

3/6/2026 7:45:00 PM | Women's Basketball

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The Red Storm advance to the BIG EAST Quarterfinals for the 16th straight year

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – A fourth-quarter surge lifted sixth-seeded St. John's women's basketball team over 11th-seeded Xavier, 53-48, on Friday afternoon in the opening round of the BIG EAST Tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena. The Red Storm will advance to the quarterfinals to face third-seeded Seton Hall.

Trailing by six entering the fourth quarter, the Red Storm engineered a 12-2 run to begin the final frame and outscored the Musketeers. 18-7, over the final 10 minutes.

Three Johnnies reached double figures to help secure the gritty win. All–BIG EAST selections Brooke Moore and Sa'Mya Wyatt each scored 16 points, with Wyatt adding 12 rebounds to record a double-double. Janeya Grant also finished in double digits, contributing 13 points. Moore added all 16 of her points in the second half. Wyatt finished with 12 boards for her first double-double of the season.

Xavier was led by Savannah White, who posted a double-double of her own with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

The Johnnies got on the board early with a jumper from Wyatt, and a quick three from Jailah Donald, jumping out to a 5-1 lead just two minutes into the first quarter. Xavier quickly responded, putting together a 10-0 run over the next six minutes to take an 11-5 advantage. After the media timeout, Kylie Lavelle and Grant combined for five points to cut the deficit to one, making it 11-10 with 2:17 remaining. In the closing moments of the quarter, Xavier's Mariyah Noel knocked down a three to extend the lead, but Donald answered at the buzzer with a triple of her own, leaving the Musketeers narrowly ahead, 16-15.

The opening minutes of the second quarter stayed tight, with Xavier holding a slim 20-17 edge. The Johnnies then used a 7-0 run to reclaim the lead, 24-20, their first since the 8:03 mark of the first quarter. Xavier trimmed the deficit to two before the 4:48 media timeout, but both teams went cold, combining for a three-minute scoring drought. The Musketeers eventually broke through in the final 20 seconds of the half, edging back in front to take a 27-26 lead into the break.

Xavier opened the second half with a 5-0 run to push its lead to six. St. John's responded behind its, and Wyatt, who combined for three points to trim the deficit to 32-29. Despite the push, the Musketeers maintained control through the remainder of the quarter, holding the Red Storm at bay and carrying a 41-35 advantage into the final period.

St. John's seized momentum early in the fourth quarter, as Moore and Wyatt powered a 12-2 run over the first five minutes to put the Johnnies back in front, 47-43. With under three minutes remaining, Xavier battled back and cut the deficit to two, 50-48. The Red Storm then locked in defensively down the stretch, keeping the Musketeers scoreless over the final two minutes while adding insurance points, including a three-point play from Wyatt. The Johnnies only allowed the Musketeers seven points, while putting up 18 in the final period. St. John's secured the 53-48 victory over Xavier to advance.

Next up, sixth-seeded St. John's will play third-seeded Seton Hall in the BIG EAST Quarterfinals tomorrow night. Tip-off is slated for 9:30 p.m. on Peacock.