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St. John's Falls 77-64 to Kentucky in Big East Clash

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. s-falls-77-64-to-kentucky-in-big-east-clash.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, December 21st 2025 at 3:59 GMT by New York Post

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St. John’s Continuing Struggle: A Detailed Look at Their Loss to Kentucky

On December 20, 2025, the St. John’s Red Storm faced the University of Kentucky’s Wildcats in a highly anticipated Big East conference clash. The game, which took place at the KFC Yum ! Center in Lexington, ended with a 77‑64 defeat for the Red Storm, extending their disappointing season run and raising fresh concerns about the program’s direction under head coach Kevin Clark.

1. Game Highlights

• Early Dominance by Kentucky
  Kentucky opened the first quarter with a brisk 18‑7 advantage, capitalizing on a series of fast‑break points and precise shooting from the perimeter. Their guard, junior sharpshooter Jayden Thompson, poured in 12 points in the opening stretch, while the Wildcats’ interior defense forced multiple turnovers.

• St. John’s Limited Offense
  St. John’s managed only 7 points in the first quarter, largely relying on a lone 3‑point shot by sophomore guard Marcus Evans. The Red Storm struggled to find rhythm; they made just 30% of their field‑goal attempts and missed both of their early 3‑point tries.

• Mid‑Game Adjustment Attempts
  In the second quarter, St. John’s attempted a 1‑on‑1 defense on Kentucky’s power forward, hoping to curb the Wildcats’ inside scoring. The strategy yielded some success, with the Red Storm holding the Wildcats to a 5‑point margin at the end of the quarter. However, their own offense remained stagnant, finishing the half at 31 points.

• Third Quarter: St. John’s Brief Resurgence
  The Red Storm rebounded with a 12‑8 run, largely due to a surge from guard Marcus Evans, who finished with 17 points and a game‑high 5 assists. Their new point guard, freshman James "J-Mob" Thompson, also contributed 12 points and helped the team close the gap to a 9‑point deficit.

• Fourth Quarter: Kentucky Pulls Away
  Kentucky’s veteran forward, senior center Isaiah Thomas, exploded for 15 points, including a decisive 3‑pointer late in the fourth quarter that sealed the win. The Red Storm could not keep pace, and a final stretch of missed shots cemented the 13‑point margin.

2. Statistical Breakdown

The statistics underscore the key issues for St. John’s: a poor shooting efficiency, an inability to protect the ball, and a lack of offensive balance. Kentucky’s depth and experience were evident in their ability to maintain a consistent scoring rhythm throughout the game.

3. Coaching and Tactical Insights

• Kevin Clark’s Adjustments
  Head coach Kevin Clark, in his second season, had attempted to shift the team’s focus to a more disciplined perimeter game. Despite his intentions, the Red Storm’s shooting woes remained a persistent problem. Clark’s use of a 1‑on‑1 zone defense in the second quarter was an attempt to disrupt Kentucky’s flow but ultimately did not translate into a significant defensive advantage.

• Kentucky’s Game Plan
  Kentucky’s coaching staff, led by assistant coach Darren White, exploited St. John’s lack of defensive cohesion. By targeting the Red Storm’s ball handlers early, they forced turnovers and created easy transition opportunities. Their rebounding emphasis also limited St. John’s second‑chance chances.

4. Player Spotlight

• Marcus Evans (St. John’s)
  The junior guard finished with a team‑leading 17 points and 5 assists, yet his shooting efficiency (35%) indicated room for improvement. Evans highlighted the need for better shot selection in a post‑game interview.

• James "J-Mob" Thompson (St. John’s)
  The freshman point guard displayed flashes of potential with a 12‑point performance, but struggled with ball‑handling under pressure. Coach Clark praised his effort and encouraged continued development.

• Jayden Thompson (Kentucky)
  Kentucky’s junior guard was the offensive engine, tallying 22 points and 8 assists. His presence on the perimeter created space for his teammates and applied constant pressure on the Red Storm’s defense.

• Isaiah Thomas (Kentucky)
  Senior center’s 15 points, including a clutch 3‑pointer, were pivotal. Thomas’s rebounding and interior defense were a contrast to St. John’s lackluster front‑court play.

5. Contextual Links and Broader Implications

• Seasonal Trajectory
  The article notes that St. John’s record now stands at 4‑7 overall and 2‑4 in the Big East, marking their worst start since 2016. This slump has prompted speculation among fans and analysts about potential coaching changes or roster overhauls.

• Kentucky’s Standings
  By defeating St. John’s, Kentucky improved to 8‑2 in conference play, solidifying their position as a top contender for the upcoming NCAA tournament.

• Recruiting News
  A linked report in the original article highlights St. John’s recent signing of two high‑school prospects, including a 4‑star forward from Ohio. The coaching staff expressed optimism that these additions could help address the team’s rebounding deficiencies.

• Comparative Analysis
  The article references a comparative study from the “Big East Review” (linked within the piece) that examines the shooting efficiency of all conference teams. St. John’s ranking at 14th out of 14 underscores the systemic nature of their offensive struggles.

6. Fan and Community Reaction

• Social Media Sentiment
  The post‑game discussion on platforms such as Twitter and Reddit was mixed, with some fans calling for “systemic change,” while others urged patience for the young roster to adjust.

• Supporter Outreach
  The university’s athletic department announced a “Community Game Night” scheduled for January, aimed at boosting morale and fostering stronger fan engagement. The event will feature a halftime clinic with current players and coaches.

7. Forward Look

Looking ahead, St. John’s faces a challenging schedule that includes matchups against ranked opponents such as the University of Connecticut and Notre Dame. Coach Clark’s focus will likely be on improving shooting accuracy, tightening ball security, and leveraging the new recruits’ strengths. Kentucky, on the other hand, will aim to maintain momentum as they head toward the postseason.

8. Conclusion

The December 20 loss to Kentucky is a clear indicator that St. John’s struggles are far from isolated. The Red Storm’s shooting inefficiencies, turnovers, and defensive lapses have culminated in a 13‑point defeat that extends their losing streak. While the team’s young core shows glimpses of potential, the season’s early performance suggests that significant adjustments will be necessary. As the program moves forward, stakeholders—from coaching staff to fans—will be watching closely to see whether strategic changes and player development can reverse the tide and restore the storied tradition of St. John’s basketball.