St. John’s (N.Y.) arrived playing its best basketball of the season — and left with more proof it’s sustainable.
The Red Storm (16-5) handled DePaul (12-10) 68-56 on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2026, continuing a five-game surge into a sixth straight win. DePaul, meanwhile, couldn’t flip its recent inconsistency (LLWLW) into a statement performance, falling behind the game’s terms and never fully wresting them back.
Game flow: St. John’s dictated the terms
With no quarter-by-quarter scoring available, the final margin still tells the story of control: St. John’s held DePaul to 56 points and never allowed the game to turn into a track meet. The Red Storm’s ability to keep the Blue Demons out of rhythm was the separator, turning possessions into pressure and pressure into a steady accumulation of points on the other end.
DePaul’s path required offensive efficiency and sustained shot-making. Instead, the Blue Demons spent too many stretches chasing the game, and the 12-point final gap reflected an uphill night that never flattened.
Turning point: Defense and tempo won the middle of the game
In a matchup where St. John’s entered in dominant form (WWWWW) and DePaul entered searching for traction, the swing came when the Red Storm imposed a slower, more physical game. Once DePaul was forced into half-court possessions and longer trips, the scoreboard tightened around St. John’s preferred environment — one where every stop matters and every basket compounds.
What it means going forward
St. John’s (16-5): momentum with substance
Six straight wins in February isn’t just a hot streak — it’s a profile builder. St. John’s continues to stack results by winning games in a controlled, defense-forward style that travels. This one wasn’t about fireworks; it was about reliability, the kind that holds up when shots come and go.
DePaul (12-10): the margin for error is thin
DePaul’s record remains workable, but the pattern is the concern. The Blue Demons’ recent form has been uneven, and against an opponent playing with continuity and confidence, any offensive drought becomes magnified. The next step is finding a consistent identity that can survive a game where the opponent dictates pace and physicality.
Final
St. John’s (N.Y.) 68, DePaul 56 — Feb. 4, 2026 (Venue: TBD)