Marquette had St. John’s down.
Had the Johnnies down 15 points, in a big hole early Friday night.
Some teams may have wilted.
Certainly St. John’s teams of the past may have buckled.
Not this group.
Not on Friday night of the Big East Tournament.
No way.
The top seed had been there plenty of times before, facing major deficits.
Zuby Ejiofor dunks during the St. John’s win against Marquette on March 14. Jason Szenes for the NY Post
Zuby Ejiofor #24 of the St. John’s Red Storm reacts after scoring during the semi-final in the first half at Madison Square Garden. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
During the regular season, it won four times when trailing by 14 points or more.
Add another comeback to the growing collection.
St. John’s dusted itself off and caught fifth-seeded Marquette by halftime.
Zuby Ejiofor reacts during the St. John’s win against Marquette on March 14. Jason Szenes for the NY Post
Then, it lapped the Golden Eagles, crushing them down the stretch like it has so many other foes during this joyride of a season.
Now, it is onto Saturday night at the Garden, in the conference championship game for the first time since 2000 after this impressive 79-63 victory
The second half was one-sided, St. John’s suffocating Marquette on the defensive end and dominating them inside on the other.
Deivon Smith attempts a shot during the St. John’s win against Marquette on March 14. Jason Szenes for the NY Post
Six days after beating the Golden Eagles at the overtime buzzer, Zuby Ejiofor scored a St. John’s Big East Tournament record 31 points along with nine rebounds and three assists.
Kadary Richmond tossed in a typical well-rounded effort, 12 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, and Aaron Scott added 11.
RJ Luis finished with 13 points and six rebounds on an off shooting night.
When Ejiofor was excited with 5.6 seconds left, the crowd roared with “Zuuuuuu,” chants.
He owned Marquette again and St. John’s stifled them over the final 20 minutes, 44-26.
Kam Jones led Marquette with 24 points, but needed 22 shots, and had only nine after the break.
Marquette didn’t handle the St. John’s pressure well, committing 17 turnovers, eight over its season average.
As impressive as Thursday’s start was, Friday night’s beginning went in the other direction.
St. John’s came out sleepwalking.
Just 7:18 in, Marquette was ahead by 15 points.
Simeon Wilcher defends Stevie Mitchell (4) during the St. John’s win against Marquette on March 14. Jason Szenes for the NY Post
Aaron Scott reacts during the St. John’s win against Marquette on March 14. Jason Szenes for the NY Post
Jones already had scored 13, including three 3-pointers.
The Johnnies would respond, reeling off eight straight points by forcing their way inside.
The run expanded to 19-5 at one point, after a Luis basket inside.
The St. John’s fans were getting loud, booming, “Let’s go Johnnies” chants bouncing off the walls for the first time.
St. John’s only trailed by two at the break, an impressive recovery after the shaky start.
Kadary Richmond attempts a shot during the St. John’s win against Marquette on March 14. Jason Szenes for the NY Post
Ejiofor was its best player, with 10 points and five rebounds in the stanza, and Richmond added nine points and six rebounds.
Turnovers, seven of them leading to nine Marquette points, was a problem. Many of them were unforced.
The Johnnies came out after intermission energized on both ends.
They ripped off a 14-5 run, fueled by two Scott 3-pointers, to take a six-point lead with 15:21 left.
It forced a Marquette timeout.
The difference was 10 when Luis and Ejiofor each hit a pair at the line.
The Golden Eagles got as close as four, but never got their deficit within a single possession.
Down the stretch, the Johnnies ran away from them, ran all the way to Saturday night’s championship game.