Providence defeats St John's 71-77
Providence Edges St John's in Thrilling Comeback Victory at Madison Square Garden
In a back-and-forth affair that saw both teams battle through multiple lead changes, Providence (AWAY) managed to erase a 7-point halftime deficit and secure a 77-71 victory over St John's (HOME) on the road.
The Red Storm took an early control of the game, leading by as many as 13 points in the first half. However, Providence was able to cut into that lead and even trailed by only three at intermission. The visiting team came out aggressive in the second half, with Stefan Vaaks playing a pivotal role in the comeback.
Vaaks finished with 16 points, including four of six three-point attempts, while also contributing two assists. His shooting performance was a key factor in Providence's resurgence.
Jamier Jones chipped in on the scoring end for Providence, netting 15 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Stefan Vaaks' counterpart, Zuby Ejiofor, led St John's with 33 points but struggled from beyond the arc, connecting on just three of six attempts.
The Red Storm shot 28% from the field overall in the first half, while Providence managed to stay afloat behind their accurate free throw shooting. The home team's inability to find consistent outside shots ultimately proved costly.
Despite trailing by seven with only minutes left on the clock, Providence went into a zone defense that suffocated St John's' offense and forced several crucial turnovers. Stefan Vaaks was instrumental in this effort, grabbing multiple rebounds and scoring key baskets down the stretch.
The final margin of six points was narrower than one might have expected considering the back-and-forth nature of play. The game saw numerous lead changes throughout its duration, but Providence ultimately emerged victorious, securing a crucial conference win on the road.
St John's' 71 points were still respectable, but their inability to contain Stefan Vaaks and Jamier Jones proved too much to overcome in the end. Providence, meanwhile, will look forward to the momentum this victory brings as they continue their push through the conference schedule.