St. John’s disappointing start continues with dismal loss to Kentucky as familiar warts show in collapse

· New York Post

ATLANTA — It was a carbon copy of Auburn. Or Alabama. Take your pick of any of the other losses. 

It was incredibly similar. Poor defensive rebounding. Limited ball movement. One turnover after another. 

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By the midway point of the second half, the result wasn’t in doubt.

St. John’s was headed to another dismal defeat, a 78-66 loss to Kentucky that will no doubt knock them from the Associated Press top-25 for the first time this year. 

This season of high expectations hasn’t gone according to plan.

St. John’s will finish the non-conference schedule 2-4 against high-major competition. 

The Red Storm shot 33 percent from the field, were crushed on the glass by 11 and had little offense to speak of after halftime.

Kentucky center Malachi Moreno (24) dunks against St. John’s forward Dillon Mitchell (1) during the first half of an NCAA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. AP

After missing most of the first half with a shoulder injury, Kentucky point guard Jaland Lowe (13 points, three assists) changed the game with his dribble penetration and in his debut coming off ACL surgery.

Big man Jayden Quaintance (10 points, eight rebounds, two blocks) had his way in the paint. 

The second half was a disaster. St. John’s was outscored by 19, allowed 53 points and committed as many turnovers (eight) as made field goals (eight).

Kentucky had 12 offensive rebounds in the second half, equaling St. John’s entire rebounding output over the final 20 minutes. 

Bryce Hopkins scored 13 points for St. John’s, but needed 11 shots and only had three rebounds. Zuby Ejiofor and Joson Sanon each had 12. Ian Jackson chipped in 10 points. 

Otega Oweh #00 of the Kentucky Wildcats steals the ball from Zuby Ejiofor #24 of the St. John’s Red Storm during the first half of the game between the St. John’s Red Storm and Kentucky Wildcats at State Farm Arena. Getty Images

St. John’s methodically built a 10-point, first-half lead on the strength of a 16-4 run that was fueled by its defense. Kentucky committed six turnovers in the spurt.

The Red Storm didn’t shoot the ball well at all over the first 20 minutes — they missed 13 of their first 15 shots — but they were physical, took care of the ball and attempted 15 free throws. 

Jackson was the best Johnnie in the first half, scoring seven points and adding two assists.

Rick Pitino’s team continued its underwhelming start. Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Ejiofor and Hopkins struggled, shooting a combined 2-of-11, but St. John’s still went into the break with a seven-point cushion.

Ruben Prey (three points, three assists) was key coming off the bench.