The St. John’s-Providence game was delayed Saturday afternoon due to a shot clock malfunction.
The game tipped off on time, but then there were clock issues.
Providence was called for a shot clock violation on the game’s first possession, but it didn’t have a full 35 seconds to shoot.
The Friars scored on their following possession, but the officials then went to the monitor and decided it was another shot clock violation.
The game was then delayed for several minutes as the officials tried to figure out the clock situation. When play finally resumed, the large crowd applauded sarcastically.
It took a lot of air out of the amped-up building.
St. John’s entered the game red-hot, having won seven straight games and 13 of 14.
At 18-3, it is off to its best start through 21 games since the 1985-86 season.
The Johnnies are ranked 15th in the nation, their highest spot in a decade, and they are tied atop the Big East with No. 9 Marquette.
St. John’s is about to enter a big week, hosting Marquette on Tuesday at the Garden and visiting No. 25 Connecticut, the back-to-back national champions, on Friday night in Storrs, Conn.
