St. John’s Extends Win streak to Eleven Amidst Heated Rivalry Game wiht Providence
PROVIDENCE, RI – February 14, 2026 – No. 17 St. John’s Red Storm secured their 11th consecutive victory with a 79-69 win over the Providence Friars on Saturday, a game marred by a significant on-court altercation that led to six player ejections. The Red Storm’s impressive run continues to solidify their position as a contender in the Big East conference.
game Highlights and Key Performances
Dylan darling led st. John’s with a strong performance, contributing 23 points and 8 rebounds.Bryce Hopkins added 9 points and 9 rebounds for the Red Storm, playing a pivotal role despite facing a antagonistic reception from the Providence crowd. The game was particularly charged for Hopkins, a former Friars star who transferred to St. John’s after an ACL injury .
The On-Court Incident
The game took a dramatic turn with approximately 14:25 remaining in the second half when Hopkins was involved in a hard foul while Providence held a narrow 40-39 lead. this sparked a heated exchange that escalated into a physical altercation, ultimately resulting in the ejection of four St. John’s players and two from Providence. the ensuing delay lasted nearly 20 minutes as officials sorted through the incident.
red Storm Respond with Dominance
Following the ejections and the lengthy delay, St. John’s seized control of the game, embarking on an 8-0 run to take a lead they would not relinquish. The Red Storm demonstrated resilience and focus, capitalizing on the opportunity despite the chaotic circumstances.
Rick Pitino‘s Return to Providence
Saturday’s game also marked the return of St. John’s head coach Rick pitino to Providence, a program he previously led to a Final Four appearance in 1987.However, Pitino’s return wasn’t a repeat of past success, as his previous attempt to reach the Final Four with Providence ended in a second-round NCAA Tournament loss to Arkansas in March of the previous season .
St. john’s season Trajectory
st. John’s experienced a rollercoaster start to the season, falling out of the AP Top 25 after a 7-4 record. However, the Red Storm have rebounded impressively, re-entering the rankings at No.25 three weeks ago and steadily climbing the polls. Their current record stands at 20-5 overall and 13-1 in the Big East.
Looking Ahead
St.John’s will continue their challenging schedule with an upcoming road game against Marquette on Wednesday night. Providence will look to rebound as they host DePaul on February 21st.
reporting by The Associated Press.