NEW YORK — In a competitive matchup on Saturday, RJ Luis played a key role in leading St. John’s to a 70-62 victory over Butler.
Luis not only scored 20 points but also contributed significantly on the boards with 11 rebounds and made four steals, demonstrating his well-rounded play for the Red Storm, who now hold a record of 12-3 overall and 3-1 in the Big East Conference.
Zuby Ejiofor supported the team with 14 points, making an efficient 4 of 7 from the field, along with a solid performance at the free-throw line, hitting 6 of 8 attempts and grabbing eight rebounds.
Deivon Smith also made his presence felt, scoring 13 points despite an off night shooting from beyond the arc, going 0 for 3 on three-pointers but making all five of his free-throw attempts.
On the opposing side, the Bulldogs, now at 7-8 and still searching for their first conference win at 0-4, had Pierre Brooks leading the way with 17 points and eight rebounds.
Patrick McCaffery contributed a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, while Jahmyl Telfort added 11 points along with three steals.
This defeat marked the Bulldogs’ seventh consecutive loss, heightening their struggles in the current season.
During the game, Luis tallied eight points in the first half, but St. John’s found themselves down 29-25 as they went into halftime.
A pivotal moment in the second half came when St. John’s ignited a 16-2 run, erasing a seven-point deficit to grab a 45-38 lead with 13:31 remaining. From that point, they maintained control and secured the win.
Looking ahead, St. John’s is set to face Xavier in an away game on Tuesday, while Butler will travel to Providence on Wednesday for their next matchup.