No. 22 St. John's beats Wagner 66-45 for 1st win as a ranked team in nearly 10 years

No. 22 St. John’s beats Wagner 66-45 for 1st win as a ranked team in nearly 10 years

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St. John’s guard RJ Luis Jr. (12) reacts with teammates during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wagner Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino looks on during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wagner Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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St. John’s guard Simeon Wilcher shoots during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Wagner Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in New York. St. John’s won 66-45. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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St. John’s guard Kadary Richmond (1) looks to drive around Wagner guard Ja’Kair Sanchez during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in New York. St. John’s won 66-45. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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Wagner guard Zaire Williams looks to pass around St. John’s guard Simeon Wilcher (7) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in New York. St. John’s won 66-45. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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Wagner guard Zae Blake (5) passes around St. John’s guard Simeon Wilcher during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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St. John’s center Vince Iwuchukwu (8) passes the ball to Deivon Smith (5) in front of Wagner forward Keyontae Lewis (32) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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Wagner guard Javier Ezquerra (1) looks to pass during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against St. John’s Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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St. John’s guard Kadary Richmond (1) drives to the basket between Wagner guard Zae Blake, right, and Zaire Williams (12) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in New York. St. John’s won 66-45. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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St. John’s forward Zuby Ejiofor shoots over Wagner forward Keyontae Lewis (32) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in New York. St. John’s won 66-45. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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St. John’s guard Aaron Scott reacts during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against St. John’s Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in New York. St. John’s won 66-45. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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St. John’s guard RJ Luis Jr. (12) drives to the basket past Wagner forward Tyje Kelton during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in New York. St. John’s won 66-45. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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St. John’s forward Brady Dunlap (44) drives past Wagner guard Ja’Kair Sanchez during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in New York. St. John’s won 66-45. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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Wagner guard Javier Ezquerra (1) looks to pass around St. John’s guard RJ Luis Jr. (12) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in New York. St. John’s won 66-45. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

By MIKE FITZPATRICK

NEW YORK (AP) — Deivon Smith drained a 3-pointer midway through the second half to start an 18-0 spurt that propelled No. 22 St. John’s past Wagner 66-45 on Wednesday night for its first victory as a ranked team in almost 10 years.

RJ Luis Jr. had 13 points, Aaron Scott scored 11 and the 6-foot Smith grabbed a team-high eight rebounds as St. John’s (3-0) pulled away down the stretch following a choppy performance over the first 30 minutes.

In their second season under Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino, the Red Storm jumped into the AP Top 25 poll this week for the first time since January 2019. They earned their first win as a ranked squad since topping Tulane on Dec. 28, 2014.

Javier Ezquerra scored 10 points to pace Wagner (1-2).

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Takeaways

Wagner: The Seahawks were picked as co-favorites with Central Connecticut State in the NEC preseason coaches’ poll. They outhustled St. John’s for 30 minutes but shot 29% percent from the field and 5 for 24 (21%) from 3-point range.

St. John’s: The Red Storm went only 18 for 30 at the free-throw line (60%) in Pitino’s first game coaching a Top 25 team since he was at Louisville.

Key moment

Seahawks freshman Zavier Fitch lost a sneaker near midcourt late in the first half and Ezquerra dribbled the ball right off the footwear, allowing Simeon Wilcher to scoop up an easy steal for a layup that capped a 10-2 spurt and gave St. John’s a 30-20 lead.

Key stat

St. John’s outscored Wagner 20-0 in fast-break points.

Up next

Wagner visits Seton Hall on Saturday, while St. John’s will play New Mexico, coached by Pitino’s son, Richard, on Sunday at Madison Square Garden.

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