Eight days later, St. John’s performed another Houdini attack.
Down 10 at halftime. Getting thoroughly outplayed. Its engine Deivon Smith on the bench in sweats.
But just like against Georgetown last Tuesday, the Red Storm staged a furious comeback.
It took five extra minutes this time, but No. 20 St. John’s found a way, knocking off Xavier, 79-71 in overtime, at the Garden on Wednesday night for its sixth straight win and 12th victory in 13 games.
The Red Storm scored the first eight points of the extra session — six by Zuby Ejiofor — and remained atop the Big East standings. At 17-3, they now own the school’s best record through 20 games since the 1985-86 team started 18-2.
Kadary Richmond scored a St. John’s career-high 19 points and added seven rebounds and five assists and Simeon Wilcher and Ejiofor scored 16 apiece. RJ Luis added 16 points and seven rebounds as the Johnnies rallied from a 16-point, second-half deficit.
After Xavier shredded their fifth-ranked defense in the first half, St. John’s held them to 31 points over the second half and overtime and doubled up the Musketeers in the paint, 48-24.
Down 16 at one point, St. John’s made a number of charges.
A 12-2 burst got them to within eight. A 10-2 run made it a one-point game.
When Richmond scored inside with 3:41, the Johnnies had their first lead since early in the first half. The building, quiet most of the first half and early part of the second, was rocking.
