NEW YORK — In a compelling showdown, Rick Pitino emerged victorious in his latest matchup against his son, as No. 22 St. John’s defeated New Mexico 85-71 on Sunday. The game was characterized by a standout performance from RJ Luis Jr., who contributed 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

The Red Storm showcased their depth as Deivon Smith chipped in with 15 points, while all five starters reached double digits, solidifying their position with a 4-0 record this season. The Hall of Fame coach celebrated a familial victory at Madison Square Garden, where his son, Richard Pitino, the head coach of the Lobos, fell to 1-3 in their coaching encounters. Richard previously managed to secure a win against his father’s Iona team two years back at The Pit.

As St. John’s maintained control in the latter stages of the match, excited fans chanted, “Who’s your daddy?” in reference to the father-son rivalry. Kadary Richmond contributed significantly with 14 points, alongside eight rebounds, five assists, and four steals. Aaron Scott also scored 14 points, while Zuby Ejiofor contributed with a double-double, recording 13 points and 10 rebounds. In addition, Luis notched a personal-best with seven assists in the game.

For New Mexico, Mustapha Amzil and Nelly Junior Joseph each tallied 16 points. The Lobos’ record now stands at 3-1, having faced a setback against a ranked opponent after their earlier victory over then-No. 22 UCLA.

The Lobos struggled against the Red Storm’s size and strength throughout the game. They briefly cut a 16-point deficit down to four points when Smith regained possession after a blocked jumper and assisted Scott for a crucial 3-pointer with 7:34 left in the game. This moment ignited a 9-2 run for St. John’s, keeping the Lobos at bay for the remainder of the contest.

Another critical statistic from the game revealed St. John’s dominance on the boards, as they out-rebounded New Mexico 49-32.

Looking ahead, New Mexico will next host Grambling State on Thursday night, while St. John’s is set to travel to the Bahamas to face No. 12 Baylor on Thursday. They will also compete against either No. 11 Tennessee or Virginia the following day as part of the Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship.