St. John’s pulls away from Iona as offense finally comes to life in second half

It took 20-plus minutes, but the St. John’s offense that had performed so well early in the year finally returned on Saturday afternoon. 

After struggling in recent games against Auburn and Ole Miss, and in the first half against Iona University, the 22nd-ranked Johnnies erupted. 

It was no surprise that it was Oziyah Sellers leading the way. The senior sharpshooter sank four second-half 3-pointers, Ian Jackson came alive late in his first game as the new starting point guard and the Red Storm cruised to a 91-64 rout at the Garden. 

St. John’s shot 65.5 percent from the field in the second half in piling up 55 points.

Sellers scored 19 points, Jackson added 14 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals, and Zuby Ejiofor followed with six points, 10 rebounds and eight blocks.

St. John’s defended well for the second straight game, holding Iona to 38 percent shooting. 

The win started a stretch of four games in 10 days, which continues Tuesday with the Big East opener against DePaul at Carnesecca Arena. 

Lamin Sabally of the Iona Gaels goes up for a shot as Zuby Ejiofor of the St. John’s Red Storm defends during the first half on December 13, 2025 at Madison Square Garden. Robert Sabo for NY Post

St. John’s started incredibly sluggish, missing 11 of its first 12 shots and trailing by eight out of the gate. The Johnnies were stuck on two points until Joson Sanon hit three free throws with 14:26 left in the first half. It started an 18-2 run. 

CHECK OUT THE LATEST BIG EAST STANDINGS AND ST. JOHN’S STATS

At halftime, St. John’s led by 10 despite shooting 38 percent from the field and committing 10 turnovers. Sanon was the lone Johnnies to find an offensive rhythm, scoring 12 points and hitting three 3-pointers. 

Ian Jackson of the St. John’s Red Storm goes up for a shot as Lamin Sabally of the Iona Gaels jumps to defend during the first half on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at Madison Square Garden Robert Sabo for NY Post

The defense remained solid, holding Iona to 33 percent shooting and forcing seven turnovers, although the Gaels did have 20 points in the paint. `

Iona started the second half fast and was quickly within four. But St. John’s finally began to find an offensive rhythm. The Red Storm scored on 10 of 12 offensive possessions and made 12 of their first 18 shots of the second half. When Mitchell completed a three-point play, it was a 21-4 run and a 21-point St. John’s lead. 

It was a formality from there, St. John’s starting this stretch of four games in 10 days on a positive note.