Dylan Darling etched his name into St. John’s basketball history on Sunday with a game-winning driving layup that gave the fifth-seeded Red Storm a 67-65 victory over fourth-seeded Kansas in a dramatic second-round NCAA Tournament matchup. Darling had struggled all game, missing his first four shots, yet with 3.9 seconds left in a tied contest, he took control at midcourt and executed a play he had called for himself, banking in the only basket of his night. The shot not only secured the win but also sent St. John’s back to the Sweet 16 for the first time in 27 years.
Dylan Darling’s Composure And Toughness Drive St. John’s Crucial Tournament Victory
Darling, a first-year player for the Red Storm after stints at Washington State and Idaho State, has quickly impressed teammates and coaches with his resilience and confidence. Rick Pitino, St. John’s Hall of Fame coach, nicknamed him “Big Bells” for his toughness, which was fully on display in the clutch. Even with Kansas closing a 58-45 deficit with a 20-7 run, Darling calmly ran a high back-screen pick-and-roll, scoring with his off hand while his teammates celebrated around him.
Dylan Darling’s Buzzer Beater Propels St. John’s To Sweet 16 After 27 YearsTeammates lauded Darling’s poise and competitiveness. Big East Player of the Year Zuby Ejiofor contributed 18 points and nine rebounds while emphasizing his confidence in Darling’s decision-making. Bryce Hopkins also scored 18 points, helping the Red Storm (30-6) maintain their remarkable surge, having won 21 of their last 22 games since early January.
Pitino and Self Face Off as St. John’s Prepares For Sweet 16 Duke Matchup
The game was also notable for a rare coaching matchup between Pitino and Kansas coach Bill Self, both Hall of Famers with multiple national titles. For Kansas, Darryn Peterson scored 21 points, and Melvin Council Jr. added 15 points and nine rebounds, but their late rally fell short. Self lamented his team’s inability to finish strong despite a competitive closing stretch, reflecting the cruel unpredictability of March Madness.
With this win, St. John’s secures a Sweet 16 matchup against No. 1 overall seed Duke, highlighting a remarkable three-year revival under Pitino and capping a historic tournament weekend for the Johnnies. Darling’s clutch heroics have cemented him as a defining figure in the program’s resurgence.
