NEW YORK -- Bashir Ahmed had a career-high 23 points and St. John's made all six free throws and a layup in the final 2:07 to beat Marquette 86-72 on Wednesday night.
Shamorie Ponds added 18 points, Marcus LoVett scored 17 and Kassoum Yakwe had 14 to help the Red Storm (11-13, 5-6 Big East).
St. John's had a 10-3 run to build its lead to 78-64 with 4:44 left. The Golden Eagles (14-8, 5-5) answered with a pair of 3-pointers to get within eight but they would get no closer.