St. John’s has touted its ability to fight through adversity.
To be at its best with its back against the wall.
Saturday night, it showed it once again.
With its engine, Devion Smith, mostly a second-half observer due to a left shoulder injury, St. John’s found a way.
It defended the life out of Villanova down the stretch and RJ Luis — not the nation’s leading scorer Eric Dixon — was the best player on the floor.
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Luis scored 23 of his St. John’s career-high 30 points after halftime and Kadary Richmond came alive late, as the Johnnies won for the ninth time in 10 games, knocking off red-hot Villanova, 80-68, at a rocking Garden.
The Johnnies (14-3, 5-1) held Dixon to 18 points on 6-of-19 shooting and hammered Villanova on the glass, 44-28.
They also made 29-of-39 free throws, icing the game late to beat the Wildcats for the third straight time.
Luis also had 10 rebounds and Richmond finished with nine points, five assists and four rebounds.
Aaron Scott added 12 and Zuby Ejiofor notched 11 points and nine rebounds.
The Johnnies closed with a flourish, outsourcing Villanova 16-5 over the final 2:53.
