NEW YORK (Interstat) — In a game defined by its relentless, physical nature and a series of dramatic late-game swings, Zuby Ejiofor scored 25 points and led a decisive overtime surge as Saint John’s outlasted Xavier 87-82 on Monday night at Carnesecca Arena.

The Big East contest, played before a crowd of 14,512, saw the Red Storm improve to 19-5 overall and complete a regular-season sweep of the Musketeers, having also won in Cincinnati on Jan. 24. Xavier fell to 12-12.

The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the final minutes of regulation and carried into the extra period. After trailing for much of the second half, Xavier clawed back to force a 78-78 tie by the final buzzer, culminating in Tre Carroll’s driving layup with 46 seconds left. Saint John’s had two chances to win it in the final 28 seconds, but Dillon Mitchell missed a floating jumper and, after an offensive rebound, Bryce Hopkins had his layup attempt blocked by Jovan Milicevic. Oziyah Sellers then tipped in his own miss at the horn, but the officials confirmed the basket came after time expired, sending the game to overtime.

The overtime belonged almost entirely to Saint John’s, specifically Ejiofor. The 6-foot-9 forward from Garland, Texas, scored seven of his team’s nine points in the extra session, all from the free-throw line, showcasing the game’s defining theme. Saint John’s attempted 41 free throws, making 28, while Xavier went just 9 of 17 from the line. The Musketeers managed only four points in overtime, all from Anthony Robinson, as their offense stalled against a tightened Red Storm defense.

Ejiofor’s performance was a cornerstone, adding five assists and a block in 40 minutes. He was supported by Bryce Hopkins, who scored 19 points, and Dylan Darling, who added 16 points and four assists. The Red Storm’s efficiency, posting an offensive rating of 105.5 points per 100 possessions compared to Xavier’s 96.4, proved decisive despite shooting a lower percentage from the field.

Xavier was led by Tre Carroll’s 21 points and four assists. Filip Borovicanin scored 12 points, while Jovan Milicevic and Anthony Robinson each added 10. The Musketeers shot 44.7% from the field but were hampered by their 5-of-17 shooting from three-point range and their struggles at the charity stripe.

The game was a mirror image through the first 40 minutes, with each team scoring 42 points in a fast-paced first half and 36 points in a grinding, foul-plagued second half. The Red Storm led by as many as eight points in the second half, but Xavier’s persistent defense, which forced 19 Saint John’s turnovers, kept them within striking distance.

Saint John’s controlled the glass with 12 offensive rebounds leading to 15 second-chance points and consistently attacked the paint, drawing fouls that Xavier could not answer in kind. The Musketeers’ final attempt to tie in overtime ended with All Wright missing a desperation three-pointer as time expired.

With the victory, Saint John’s continues its push near the top of the Big East standings, while Xavier searches for consistency as it hovers around .500. The Red Storm next travel to face Providence on Saturday. Xavier returns home to host Marquette on Saturday.