Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; St. John’s Crimson Storm guard Dylan Darling (0) celebrates after defeating the Kansas Jayhawks within the second half throughout a second spherical sport of the boys’s 2026 NCAA Match at Viejas Area. Necessary Credit score: Denis Poroy-Imagn Photographs
In a sport by which he was scoreless till the ultimate whistle, Dylan Darling stored St. John’s season alive, as they superior to their first Candy 16 in an NCAA Match since 1999.
His layup on the buzzer secured the 65-63 win for the Crimson Storm in an exhilarating second-round affair towards Invoice Self’s Kansas Jayhawks on Sunday in San Diego.
“He hadn’t achieved a rattling good factor all evening, so I do know he was going to do it,” St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino stated. “The enjoyable is simply beginning.”
Darling, in the meantime, stated, “I in all probability don’t deserve this. I used to be fairly unhealthy all evening lengthy.” Darling missed all 4 of his long-range makes an attempt, whereas dishing 4 assists and forcing a pair of turnovers. However when his staff wanted it most, the church bells began ringing, as Pitino had as soon as stated about his hyper-aggressive and clutch model of play.
“[Darling] comes as much as me, and says run energy, a excessive back-screen pick-and-roll. I stroll away, and say, he hasn’t scored a bucket and he needs to play for himself,” Pitino added.
Darling stored the Johnnies alive all through their 13-game win streak and did it another time to maintain them from free-falling towards Kansas, who turned a 13-point deficit right into a tie sport.
Bryce Hopkins led St. John’s in scoring, tallying 18 factors, seven rebounds, and 6 three-pointers. Reigning Massive East Participant of the 12 months Zuby Ejiofor remained shut by, scoring 18, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists.
However don’t let the strong numbers idiot you. The Crimson Storm performed a farm from good sport, giving up seven turnovers towards the Jayhawks. This introduced itself as a lift in morale for Kansas, who scored eight straight factors within the last minutes.
With 1:29 remaining, a 3 from Hopkins made a four-point ballgame. However that wasn’t sufficient to carry off Trey White and Darryn Peterson. A profitable journey to the charity stripe made it a tie sport, as Kansas fouled St. John’s 4 instances to convey down the shot clock.
Peterson, a possible first-round choose, led the Jayhawks with 21 factors and 4 rebounds. Nonetheless, three turnovers stopped him in his tracks.
Actually, Kansas gave up the ball 16 complete instances towards the Crimson Storm. However missed open seems hindered the Johnnies from taking benefit, leaving the door open for Peterson.
For extra on St. John’s, go to AMNY.com
