NEWARK, N.J. (Interstat) — In a gritty, defensive-minded Big East clash that saw both teams struggle from the perimeter, Zuby Ejiofor’s dominant interior performance propelled Saint John’s to a 72-65 victory over Seton Hall on Friday night at Prudential Center.

The Red Storm, improving to 25-6 overall, never trailed after the opening minutes but could not fully shake the persistent Pirates until the final seconds before a crowd of 9,554. The win completed a regular-season sweep for Saint John’s, which also defeated Seton Hall 65-60 on Jan. 20.

The game’s defining characteristic was a stark contrast in three-point shooting. Saint John’s connected on 7 of 20 attempts from beyond the arc, while Seton Hall suffered through a catastrophic 1-for-11 night from deep. That 18-point disparity from long range proved insurmountable for the Pirates, who fell to 20-11.

Ejiofor, a 6-foot-9, 245-pound forward from Garland, Texas, was the most impactful player on the floor. In just 23 minutes, he scored a game-high 21 points on efficient 8-of-12 shooting from the field, adding three blocked shots. His physical presence in the paint anchored the Red Storm on both ends, particularly during a critical second-half stretch when Seton Hall threatened to erase a deficit that had grown to 11 points.

The most important sequence of the game unfolded midway through the second half. After a Najai Hines free throw brought Seton Hall within 45-40 with 12:41 remaining, Saint John’s responded with a decisive 8-0 run. The surge was capped by a crucial three-pointer from Oziyah Sellers, assisted by Dillon Mitchell, pushing the lead back to 53-40 with 10 minutes to play. The Pirates would get no closer than seven points the rest of the way.

Mitchell, a 6-foot-8 guard from Tampa, Florida, orchestrated the Saint John’s offense with a game-high seven assists over 37 minutes, facilitating ball movement against a tight Seton Hall defense. Sellers finished with 11 points, all in the second half, while Bryce Hopkins and Rubén Prey each added 11 and 8 points, respectively.

Seton Hall was led by Adam Clark’s 15 points and three assists. The Philadelphia native, however, was hampered by foul trouble and committed four of the Pirates’ nine turnovers. Hines, a 6-foot-10, 265-pound forward from nearby Plainfield, New Jersey, provided a strong inside presence with 11 points and a game-high three offensive rebounds. AJ Staton-McCray contributed 11 points, three assists, and three blocks in a solid all-around effort.

Despite the loss, Seton Hall won the battle on the glass, securing 10 offensive rebounds to Saint John’s seven, and attempted five more free throws, making 18 of 27. Saint John’s was less efficient at the line, converting only 13 of 22 attempts.

The first half set the tone for a defensive struggle. Saint John’s led 30-27 at the break, with both teams shooting under 40% from the field in the opening period. The Red Storm’s ability to generate slightly cleaner looks, and Ejiofor’s early production inside, provided the narrow cushion they would methodically build upon after halftime.

Saint John’s offensive rating of 111.7 points per 100 possessions significantly outpaced Seton Hall’s mark of 95.8, underscoring the Red Storm’s superior efficiency in a game where possessions were nearly even. The victory solidified Saint John’s position near the top of the Big East standings as the conference tournament approaches, while Seton Hall will look to regroup and bolster its postseason credentials in its regular-season finale.