And just like that, it’s over.
For St. John’s ten seniors, the journey ended Thursday night as the Johnnies fell to Gonzaga 86-71 in the Red Storm’s first trip back to the tournament since 2002.
The excitement St. John’s displayed on Sunday, as they celebrated receiving an at-large bid to the tournament, turned to despair as the seniors walked off the court for the last time as Red Storm.
St. John’s was unable to make up for the loss of their most versatile player, D.J. Kennedy, whose college career ended when he tore his ACL in the Big East tournament.
Without their leading rebounder, St. John’s was overmatched on the boards – losing the rebounding battle 43-20.
Gonzaga’s crisp passing – the Bulldogs had 20 assists on their 28 field goals – led to easy buckets and open three-pointers. Gonzaga shot over 50 percent from the field and 60 percent from deep.
Dwight Hardy led all scorers with 26, but was held scoreless over the first 12 minutes as he was swarmed all over the court.
St. John’s was never able to get the lead within single digits over the game’s final 19 minutes. Every time the Johnnies made a small run to get it to 10 or 11, Gonzaga would answer right back extending their lead and keeping the Storm at a distance.
For St. John’s seniors, this has been a season of resurgence under first year head coach Steve Lavin.
The stated goal for St. John’s this year was an invitation to the “big dance.” They earned that invite on the strength of six wins over ranked teams, a third place finish in the Big East and a top 25 ranking. But for the seniors who had to wait through three years of losing and insignificance nationally, a one-and-done in the tournament was a bitter pill to swallow – even if it was their goal from the day they walked through St. John’s doors.
Next year, St. John’s will welcome a top five recruiting class that should have them continuing to compete on a national level for years to come.
But for the seniors that helped re-establish the program after one of the roughest stretches the men’s basketball team has ever seen, there will be no next year. Their college careers ended on Thursday, but their efforts in helping put St. John’s back on the basketball map should last long after they’ve graduated.
