Rumble in the Garden · Mar 1, 2019
St. John’s drops home finale to Xavier, 84-73
Wendell CruzSt. John’s lost the battle with Xavier, the battle on the glass, and the battle with composure. This is the way the last home game ends for St. John’s, not with a bang, but with a frustrated whimper, losing to Xavier 84-73.
The Red Storm fall to 8-8 in conference and 20-9 overall, while Xavier improves to 8-8 in conference and 16-13 overall, taking over third place in the conference from St. John’s.
In the first half, Xavier exposed St. John’s weakness —interior play — and took away St. John’s strength — attacking against man defense.
With Mustapha Heron out for the second straight game with a knee injury, Sedee Keita started to keep Xavier off the boards.