St. John’s Dominates Northern Iowa in March Madness Opener

Bassyonni

Published: March 20, 2026 11:57 PM ET

St. John’s Dominates Northern Iowa in March Madness Opener

In an impressive display at Viejas Arena, St. John’s Red Storm dominated their March Madness opener against Northern Iowa on March 20, 2026, with a decisive 79-53 victory. The fifth-seeded Red Storm, showcasing a high level of focus, quickly established their dominance and never relinquished control of the game.

Initial Game Highlights

St. John’s took charge from the beginning, scoring the first 13 points of the match. The team demonstrated exceptional shooting and strategic execution, particularly from beyond the arc. They made seven three-pointers in the first half alone, far outpacing Northern Iowa’s overall performance.

Key Player Performances

Forward Zuby Ejiofor stood out with a remarkable performance, contributing 14 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks. His efforts highlighted a team that has grown stronger as the season progressed. Other notable players included:

Bryce Hopkins: 13 points, 6 rebounds
Oziyah Sellers: 11 points
Ruben Prey: 8 points, 4 rebounds

St. John’s Game Strategy

Head coach Rick Pitino emphasized the importance of perimeter shooting before the game, knowing Northern Iowa’s strength lay in their defensive strategy. The Red Storm’s offensive execution validated this plan, as they finished with 10 three-pointers, their highest since January.

Defense Against the Panthers

Northern Iowa, a team known for its exceptional defensive record, struggled to keep pace. The Panthers’ coach, Ben Jacobson, exhausted his timeouts early in the match as the scoreboard showed a widening gap. At halftime, St. John’s matched a program record for points in the NCAA Tournament with 47. This was one of the highest totals allowed by Northern Iowa in any first half this season.

Looking Ahead

With this victory, St. John’s improves its season record to 29-6. They have now won 20 of their last 21 games and are one win away from reaching the Sweet 16 for the first time in 27 years. The Red Storm will face the winner of the No. 4 Kansas vs. No. 13 Cal Baptist match next.

Ejiofor remarked on the team’s determination, stating, “Nobody wants to go home. This is one step closer to the bigger goal.” With their eyes on further success, the Red Storm is ready to take on their next challenge in the tournament.