St. John's 82, Georgetown 60: Ray Floriani's Photo Essay

NEW YORK CITY – There are those nights when the stars seem to align. Everything comes together. The offense runs in crisp fashion. Attempts at the rim finish. The perimeter shots sing the sweet sound of string music as the ball kisses the net. Those nights are special, and it all seems to come easy.

Former Fordham coach Bob Hill had his critics, but once astutely remarked that when players make shots, they defend better. Finishing an attempt energizes you and it translates to the defensive end. It all helps explain the 82-60 victory posted by St. John’s over Georgetown.

The Sunday evening contest at Madison Square Garden proved to be noteworthy on several counts. The St. John’s offense, as noted, put together a 134 efficiency and 64% eFG mark. On defense, they forced the Hoyas into a 23% turnover rate. Numbers aside it was Georgetown. Maybe the meetings are not like the ones in years gone by. Regardless, it still is Georgetown. The dreaded Hoyas. And it is the Big East Conference.

On a chilly winter evening, St. John’s turned the heat up on the Hoyas, much to the joy of their faithful, exiting MSG with a feeling of warmth and contentment.

St. John's head coach Steve Lavin gives last-minute instructions prior to tipoff:

St. John's fans hoping for some TV time:

St. John's cheerleaders keeping the Madison Square Garden crowd enthused while enjoying a rout:

D'Angelo Harrison taking it off the bounce against a Hoya defender:

The clock winds down on a big victory:

Georgetown's John Thompson III meets the media: