St. John’s (N.Y.) didn’t blink late. In a tight, possession-by-possession finish, the Red Storm closed out Xavier 87-82 on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, strengthening their NCAA season profile at 19-5 and keeping their form scorching at five straight wins.

Xavier, meanwhile, left with another narrow loss in a skid-heavy stretch. The Musketeers dropped to 12-12, continuing a run that’s now four losses in their last five.

Game flow: even early, decided late

This one started on a knife’s edge and stayed there. The teams were tied 42-42 at the break, with neither side able to create meaningful separation in the opening half.

The second half followed the same script: back-and-forth scoring, no overtime, and just enough late execution from St. John’s to tilt the final margin. Both teams scored 36 after halftime, but St. John’s found the extra points it needed to finish on top, 87-82.

Turning point: St. John’s closes the door

With the game still within one or two possessions late, St. John’s delivered the decisive closing stretch—enough to keep Xavier from flipping the result. In a matchup defined by parity (tied at halftime and matched after the break), the difference was St. John’s ability to secure the final sequence of winning plays.

What it means going forward

St. John’s (19-5, WWWWW)

The Red Storm keep stacking wins, and this one matters because it tested late-game composure rather than relying on an early runaway. Winning a game that’s level at halftime and tight to the final horn is the kind of result that travels—especially as the calendar turns toward the stretch run.

Xavier (12-12, LLWLL)

For Xavier, the frustration is familiar: competitive enough to be in it, not clean enough to finish it. At 12-12, the Musketeers need results quickly, and games like this—where the margin is thin—underscore how little room they have left for missed opportunities down the stretch.

Final score

St. John’s (N.Y.) 87, Xavier 82 (Halftime: 42-42)

Venue: TBD