St. John’s falls in NCAA First Four game, 74-65

Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesDespite the high of making the NCAA Tournament, it’s hard not to notice that this team also ended the season with a loud and resounding thud — but this time in Dayton’s First Four play-in round, not in the Big East Tournament.

So that is, in some small measure, progress.

That progress doesn’t unsalt the stinging wound that is St. John’s 74-65 loss to Arizona State. It was a game that saw the Johnnies once again playing from behind early, bothered by defensive height.

Chris Mullin’s team may have reached the NCAA Tournament, but the way the team played was not an inspiring look at a rebuild.

To their credit, St. John’s found some creative ways to try and get…