No. 14 St. John’s unleashed a dominant offensive performance to hand Baylor its first loss of the season, making a bold statement in the Players Era Championship and reshuffling the early college basketball landscape.
On a big stage in Las Vegas, No. 14 St. John’s seized the national spotlight by snapping Baylor’s undefeated start with a 96-81 rout in the Players Era Championship’s second round. The Red Storm bounced back decisively from their razor-thin 83-82 loss to No. 15 Iowa State just one night prior, channeling their frustration into offensive firepower and gritty shot-making.
How Did St. John’s Win the Battle of Runs?
St. John’s head coach leaned into the team’s versatility, riding a scorching hot hand from Bryce Hopkins (26 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists) and electric perimeter play from Oziyah Sellers. Sellers, who had set a season high with 20 points against Iowa State, eclipsed that just 24 hours later with 22 points and five 3-pointers on seven attempts.
Despite Baylor’s early dominance on the glass—building a 25-14 rebounding advantage and grabbing a staggering 17 offensive boards in the first half—the Red Storm’s defense and fast-paced offensive attack disrupted Baylor’s rhythm. The Bears, who entered with a 4-0 record and strong shooting numbers, were held to just 37.2% from the field—well below their early-season average, which had previously never dipped beneath 43.1%.
- Field goal percentage tilt: St. John’s blazed at 57.4% shooting, more than 20 points higher than Baylor’s mark.
- Three-point shooting: The Red Storm nailed 11 of 22 from deep, with Sellers leading the barrage.
- Bench impact: Dillon Mitchell (18 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists) and freshman Ian Jackson (14 points) gave St. John’s a decisive edge in the rotation battle.
Baylor’s First Loss: More Than Just a Setback
Cameron Carr provided a spark for Baylor with a game-high 27 points, and Michael Rataj posted a double-double (12 points, 12 rebounds). Tounde Yessoufou nearly matched that impact with 15 points and nine rebounds, while Isaac Williams IV added 14 off the bench. But Baylor’s usually efficient offense stalled, especially in the half-court, as St. John’s relentless perimeter defense stifled rhythm and ball movement.
This loss marks Baylor’s first taste of adversity in 2025-26, spotlighting concerns about shot creation when the outside shot isn’t falling—an issue not seen in their high-powered early run. A 23-point second-half deficit revealed the Bears’ vulnerability against skilled, multi-dimensional attacks and raises new questions about where they sit in the evolving national pecking order.
The Significance: St. John’s As a True Contender?
For St. John’s, this isn’t just a resumé-building win—it’s a power statement. By rebounding from a nail-biting defeat against Iowa State to overpower a top Big 12 contender, the Red Storm have established themselves as more than a fringe Top 25 squad. Their ability to score at will, space the floor, and force cold streaks from an opponent’s best shooters puts the rest of college basketball on notice.
- Bryce Hopkins is now a legitimate All-America candidate, anchoring a dynamic offensive arsenal.
- Oziyah Sellers’s elite perimeter shooting provides the X-factor St. John’s lacked in last year’s campaign.
- Bench depth gives the coaching staff options for both offense and defense against elite competition.
This performance could see St. John’s climb further in the AP Top 25, pushing the narrative that they can compete with—and beat—anyone in March [AP Top 25]. For Baylor, this game is a wake-up call and a chance to regroup, especially with conference play and national expectations looming [AP College Basketball Hub].
Fan Takeaways, Rumors, and What’s Next
The buzz in fan circles will focus on St. John’s emerging as a dark horse for a deep March run and whether this blueprint—fast tempo, hot shooting, relentless switching—could shake up the blue-blood hierarchy.
For Baylor, the discussion will center around defensive adjustments, finding new sources of half-court offense, and whether the Bears have sufficient guard play to thrive when the physical game plan falters. As both teams continue tournament play in Las Vegas, Wednesday’s matchups may provide answers to those questions—and set the stage for a dramatic college basketball season ahead.
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