When a team is officially “the hunted,” every other team that squares off with it will produce its best shot at knocking off the king of the mountain. Villanova, the defending national champion, has gotten used to having the bullseye on its back all season long.
Villanova head coach Jay Wright proclaimed that St. John’s “brought it” during Saturday afternoon’s contest, a game which Villanova was down for a good chunk of the first half before taking control and running away with a 70-57 victory. After shooting only 42 percent in the first half, the Wildcats (17-1, 5-1 Big East) woke up in the second half, shooting almost 50 percent in the second frame. Of all of the well-known players who were instrumental in bringing the Wildcats their first national championship in 2016 and are still going strong this season, it was redshirt freshman Donte DiVincenzo who led the team with 19 points, including scoring 10 points on 4-of-5 shooting (2-of-3 on threes) in the first half. All together, four players scored in double figures for Villanova, including Final Four hero Kris Jenkins, who managed to score 10 points despite going only 1-for-10 from the field.
St. John’s (8-11, 2-4) failed in its attempt to get back to .500 in conference play, but showed why it’s one of the most improved teams in the Big East under second-year head coach/school legend Chris Mullin. The Red Storm forced 20 turnovers and stayed in the game in the first half by hitting six of their 13 three-point attempts. Freshman guard Shamorie Ponds, a native of Brooklyn, led St. John’s with 13 points.
There are 30 photos in this gallery, and, after clicking on one to enlarge, make sure to press the left and right arrow buttons to scroll through the rest of the pictures.
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All You Need is Love-tt
St. John's guard Marcus Lovett dribbles on the perimeter in the first half against the Villanova Wildcats at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 14, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Break Out
St. John's guard Malik Ellison dribbles towards the basket with Villanova's Mikal Bridges (l.) in pursuit during the first half at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Three for Me, Please?
St. John's guard Marcus Lovett attempts a three-pointer during the first half against Villanova at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 14, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Mooooosse...
St. John's guard Federico Mussini attempts a three-pointer over Villanova's Josh Hart during the first half at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 14, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Drive Time
Federico Mussini (r.) of St. John's attempts to dribble past Josh Hart of Villanova during the first half at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 14, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Head Over Heels
A member of the St. John's cheerleading squad performs a routine during the first half of the game between the Red Storm and Villanova at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Head Over Heels, Part 2
St. John's guard Bashir Ahmed is bumped in the lane by Villanova's Darryl Reynolds during the first half at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 14, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Stay Back
Villanova guard Jalen Brunson is checked in the backcourt by St. John's guard Marcus Lovett during the first half at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 14, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Mano A Mano
Jalen Brunson of Villanova takes the ball up the court while being guarded by St. John's guard Marcus Lovett during the first half at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 14, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Picture of Concentration
St. John's guard Bashir Ahmed attempts a jumper over Villanova's Eric Paschall during the first half at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 14, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Small Fish, Big Ponds
St. John's freshman guard Shamorie Ponds attempts a three-pointer over Villanova guard Donte DiVincenzo during the first half at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 14, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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No. 1 in Your Program and Your Hearts
St. John's guard Bashir Ahmed attempts a three-pointer during the first half against Villanova on Jan. 14, 2017 at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Black and White...and Green
St. John's guard Marcus Lovett dribbles the ball up the court alongside official Brian O'Connell during the first half in a game against Villanova at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 14, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Mr. GQ
Villanova head coach Jay Wright delivers instructions to his team during the first half against St. John's on Jan. 14, 2017 at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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All is Not Wright
Villanova head coach Jay Wright has a word with the officials during a timeout in the first half against St. John's at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 14, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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A Lonely Feeling
Villanova forward Kris Jenkins gets ready to attempt a technical foul shot during the second half against St. John's at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 14, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Ready to Fire
Villanova forward Kris Jenkins gets set to attempt a technical foul free throw against St. John's during the second half at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 14, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Going My Way?
Josh Hart (l.) of Villanova attempts to drive past St. John's guard Malik Ellison during the second half at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 14, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Hart Trouble
Villanova guard Josh Hart has the ball stripped from him by Malik Ellison during the second half at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 14, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Things are Looking Up
Villanova forward Kris Jenkins is guarded inside by St. John's guard Bashir Ahmed during the second half at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 14, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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No Fear
Villanova guard Jalen Brunson attempts to go up for a layup over St. John's guard Shamorie Ponds (r.) during the second half at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 14, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Traffic Jam
Villanova forward Eric Paschall pivots inside on St. John's forward Kassoum Yakwe during the second half at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 14, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Hold Up Now
Villanova guard Donte DiVincenzo is checked by St. John's forward Darien Williams during the second half at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 14, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Missed It By That Much
Villanova forward Mikal Bridges misses at an attempt to steal the ball in the backcourt during the second half against St. John's at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 14, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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On the Move
Villanova guard Jalen Brunson attempts to shake past St. John's guard Marcus Lovett during the second half at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 14, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Time to Go
Jalen Brunson of Villanova drives past Marcus Lovett of St. John's during the second half at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 14, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Where Have I Seen This Before?
2016 Final Four hero Kris Jenkins of Villanova attempts - and makes - a three-pointer during the second half against St. John's at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 14, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Just Joshing Around
Villanova guard Josh Hart attempts a runner in the lane over St. John's guard Malik Ellison during the second half at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 14, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Fly Like a...Wildcat?
Villanova guard Donte DiVincenzo goes up for a layup over St. John's Kassoum Yakwe during the second half at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 14, 2017. (Photo by Robert Cole) -
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Cleared for Takeoff
Villanova guard Donte DiVincenzo gets ready to throw down a dunk late in the second half against St. John's at Madison Square Garden. DiVincenzo led all scores in the game with 19 points. (Photo by Robert Cole)
