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- Darling’s last-second shot rewrote a tiny piece of NCAA history
- How the final sequence unfolded
- Game snapshot: momentum, defense, and the decisive basket
- Who stepped up: top contributors for the Red Storm
- Historic context for St. John’s season
- Looking ahead: what awaits the Red Storm
- Why the play will be replayed for years
St. John’s stunned Kansas with a final-second dagger as guard Dylan Darling sank a buzzer-beating jumper that lifted the Red Storm into the Sweet 16. The crowd erupted and headlines followed, but the play also delivered a rare statistical footnote that has analysts buzzing.
Darling’s last-second shot rewrote a tiny piece of NCAA history
Sports Reference analyst Jared Berson noted a striking rarity: no player in NCAA Tournament history had previously recorded their only points of a game as a true buzzer-beater. Dylan Darling became the first. It was a moment that combined drama with an odd statistical quirk.
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How the final sequence unfolded
The possession began with St. John’s needing a basket to pull ahead. The Red Storm worked the ball into position. Darling received it, created space, and rose for the jumper. The ball left his hands as the clock hit zero.
- The shot found the net.
- Score flipped: St. John’s edged Kansas by two.
- Immediate pandemonium followed on the court and in the stands.
Game snapshot: momentum, defense, and the decisive basket
St. John’s closed a tight contest with a mix of gritty defense and timely offense. Kansas kept pressing, but the Red Storm managed a few crucial stops late. The lead changed hands multiple times in the final minutes.
Turning points
- Key defensive possessions by St. John’s in the final minutes.
- Effective ball movement created the look for Darling.
- The buzzer-beater itself ended the back-and-forth battle.
Who stepped up: top contributors for the Red Storm
While Darling’s shot stole the spotlight, several teammates carried the load throughout the night. Two players combined to anchor St. John’s attack.
- Zuby Ejiofor — 18 points, nine rebounds, four assists, a block and a steal. He was a two-way force.
- Bryce Hopkins — 18 points, seven rebounds, one assist, two steals. He provided interior scoring and toughness.
Darling’s stat line was modest overall: limited minutes, one field goal on five attempts, a rebound, four assists and two steals. Still, his single basket carried outsized importance.
Historic context for St. John’s season
This trip to the Sweet 16 marks a milestone for the program. It is St. John’s first time reaching this stage since 1999. The win adds momentum and national attention to a season that has been building under the current roster.
Looking ahead: what awaits the Red Storm
St. John’s now prepares to face Duke in the Sweet 16. The matchup is scheduled for Saturday. A victory would send the Red Storm to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1999.
- Opponent: Duke
- Date: Saturday
- Stakes: Chance to reach Elite Eight; a run toward a first Final Four since 1985.
Why the play will be replayed for years
Beyond the scoreboard, Darling’s buzzer-beater checks several boxes that make it memorable. It came in a high-pressure NCAA Tournament setting. It settled a tight elimination game. And it produced a statistical oddity that will attract trivia-seekers.
For St. John’s fans, the moment is a defining chapter of a deep March run. For college basketball historians, it’s a curious footnote and an unforgettable image of a player creating his legacy with one perfect shot.
