NEW YORK — Rick Pitino reached one other milestone Monday night time on the expense of his son.

It actually wasn’t simple, although. The truth is, two of his hardest wins currently have come towards his personal flesh and blood — and nothing may make the Corridor of Fame coach extra proud.

Zuby Ejiofor scored six of his 25 factors in additional time and No. 17 St. John’s outlasted pesky Xavier 87-82 at Madison Sq. Backyard for its tenth consecutive victory. Together with his 904th profession win on the court docket, Pitino handed Roy Williams for third place in Division I historical past behind Mike Krzyzewski (1,202) and Jim Boeheim (1,116).

It was Pitino’s second comeback victory in 17 days over his son, Richard, the first-year coach of the Musketeers. Within the earlier assembly, the elder Pitino earned his 900th win when the Johnnies rallied from a 16-point deficit within the second half for an 88-83 victory at Xavier.

“I hope we don’t play them within the Large East Match,” Rick Pitino stated. “I believe my son’s good. I’m pleased with him. I hate getting any milestone towards him — however I’m going away tonight saying my son’s a hell of a coach. … To say my son’s a fantastic coach is rather more pleasing to me than any variety of victories.”

Rick Pitino improved to 5-1 in teaching matchups towards Richard, whose lone win versus his dad got here in 2022-23 when New Mexico beat Iona at dwelling.

Fathers are 21-3 total in such Division I video games.

“In two video games towards them, he’s completely outcoached me, and their workers outcoached us. We couldn’t guard them. We couldn’t cease them of their offense. They obtained us in dangerous switches. They executed,” stated Rick Pitino, 73.

“All of the credit score goes to Richard, his workers, his gamers. They’ve outplayed us twice, however we simply gutted it out within the ultimate minutes to return away with a victory.”

Bryce Hopkins added 19 factors and 9 rebounds for the Crimson Storm (19-5, 12-1 Large East), who gained for the fifteenth time in 17 video games and tied No. 6 UConn atop the convention standings.

St. John’s was coming off a rousing win Friday night time at The Backyard over the rival Huskies.

“The apparent factor for all of you to say is after an enormous recreation, they weren’t able to play. We have been actually able to play — however they have been nice,” Rick Pitino stated. “Sure groups trigger matchup issues for you, and this staff does for us.”

Dylan Darling had 16 factors off the bench for the Johnnies. Ejiofor additionally supplied seven rebounds and 5 assists, together with a go to Oziyah Sellers for the breakaway dunk that sealed it with 7 seconds left in OT.

“It’s actually cool while you’re taking part in for the very best faculty basketball coach of all time,” Darling stated. “I’ve solely been part of it for 19 wins, so I gained’t take an excessive amount of credit score, however I’m pleased for him. For those who have been to return to observe day-after-day, it’s not exhausting to see why he has so many wins.”

St. John’s went 28 for 41 (68%) on the free-throw line, its most foul pictures since taking 44 towards Lehigh in November 2011. A trio of Xavier gamers fouled out in additional time — on three straight defensive possessions.

Contemplating the Musketeers have been solely 9 of 17 on the line, Richard Pitino stated it was “fairly outstanding” they even compelled additional time, and he informed his gamers they need to have gained the sport.

Xavier dedicated simply 9 turnovers in 45 minutes towards an aggressive Crimson Storm protection.

“We had an opportunity to win it. Happy with the trouble. They’re nice children. Actually imagine in what we’re constructing,” Richard Pitino stated. “We’re clearly making an attempt to get to the extent of UConn, making an attempt to get to the extent of St. John’s. However you’ll be able to’t have 28 free throws to 9 and assume you’re going to win the sport.”

Tre Carroll, the Large East’s main scorer, had 21 factors and eight rebounds for the Musketeers (12-12, 4-9), who’ve misplaced 5 of six. He scored 11 in a row for Xavier within the second half and surpassed 1,000 profession factors.

Sellers tipped in his personal miss with 16 seconds remaining in regulation to tie it at 78, and Carroll missed a wild 3-point try on the buzzer.

“It may need appeared like we got here out missing just a little little bit of vitality, however it wasn’t like we have been taking Xavier barely. I imply, they took us all the way down to the buzzer at their place,” Darling stated. “We struggled guarding them.”

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