JAMAICA ESTATES – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – The BIG EAST non-conference schedule ended Saturday with all three league teams in action notching comfortable homecourt victories. St. John’s, Georgetown and DePaul were the winners.
St. John’s put six players in double figures in a 97-76 victory over Delaware. Deivon Smith led the assault with a season-high 20 points, a career-high 13 rebounds and eight assists. Zuby Ejiofor contributed 16 points and seven rebounds. The Johnnies (11-2) shot 60.9 percent from the field.
Georgetown had three players post double-doubles in an 83-53 victory against Coppin State. Thomas Sorber had 22 points and 12 rebounds. Drew Fielder registered career highs with 20 points and 13 boards. Malik Mack, who had missed the previous two games with an injury, finished with 15 points and 11 assists. The Hoyas (11-2) outscored the Tigers 46-23 in the second half.
DePaul never trailed in an 84-65 triumph over Loyola Maryland. N.J. Benson led the Blue Demons (9-4) with 22 points, 17 rebounds and two blocked shots. His rebound total was the highest by a BIG EAST player since Dec. 20, 2022. Jacob Meyer, the team’s top scorer at 14.5 ppg, added 12 points.
The BIG EAST ended its non-league schedule with a (84-37) .694 record.
Conference play resumes on New Year’s Eve afternoon with a doubleheader on Peacock.Seton Hall visits Xavier at 2 p.m. ET followed by St. John’s at Creighton at 4 p.m.
Providence hosts Marquette at 6 p.m. on FS1.