St. John’s Dominates Baylor in Players Era Festival

LAS VEGAS — A year ago, St. John’s showed resilience in overcoming adversity, and Tuesday afternoon, they proved their mettle once more with a stellar performance against Baylor. After suffering a narrow defeat to No. 15 Iowa State, the 14th-ranked Red Storm came back strong, claiming a decisive 96-81 victory in their latest matchup at the Michelob Ultra Arena.

Fast Start and Strong Finish

Key Game Highlights:

• Oziyah Sellers ignited the Red Storm with a rapid-fire offensive display, while Bryce Hopkins took over in the crucial closing stages.
• The team improved to 1-1 during the Players Era Festival, marking their first win this season against a power-conference opponent.

Performance Statistics:

• Bryce Hopkins: 26 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists
• Oziyah Sellers: 22 points, 5 three-pointers
• Dillon Mitchell: 18 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists
• Ian Jackson: 14 points

Baylor’s Challenges

Despite the loss, Baylor’s Cameron Carr led the scoring with 27 points. Their highly touted freshman, Tounde Yessoufou, was held to 15 points on a difficult 5-of-17 shooting outing.

Shooting Efficiency:

• St. John’s boasted an impressive shooting percentage of 57% from the field, along with a season-high 11 three-pointers on 22 attempts.

However, defensive rebounding remained a concern as St. John’s allowed Baylor 26 offensive rebounds, leading to 21 second-chance points.

Game Breakdown

The first half was a mix of offensive fireworks and defensive lapses:

• First-Half Recap:
  • St. John’s shot nearly 60% from the field.
  • Oziyah Sellers led with 14 points, making three early three-pointers.
  • The Red Storm took a nine-point lead into halftime.

Rebounding Issues:

Despite their offensive efficiency, the Johnnies faced substantial challenges on the glass, conceding 17 offensive rebounds.

Second-Half Surge

St. John’s came out strong in the second half, quickly expanding their lead:

• Dylan Darling’s defensive prowess forced Baylor into turnovers and ignited a 7-0 run.
• The Johnnies’ lead swelled to 18 points after a three-point play by Joson Sanon.

Closing Strong:

The second half showcased a focused St. John’s team that remained relentless on offense while tightening up defensively after halftime.

St. John’s Red Storm forward Bryce Hopkins (23) goes for a layup against Baylor Bears center Caden Powell (44).

Conclusion

The victory over Baylor sets a positive tone for St. John’s as they look to continue their momentum in the ongoing Players Era Festival. They will next face an unnamed opponent, and fans will hope the Red Storm can build on this commanding performance.

Whether it’s the thrilling gameplay or standout performances, St. John’s basketball continues to captivate and excite fans. Stay tuned for further updates on their season journey!