Rick Pitino Reacts To St. John's Buzzer Beater Win Over Marquette

The St. John's Red Storm defeated the Marquette Golden Eagles on a stunning buzzer-beater in overtime.

Feb 23, 2025; New York, New York, USA; St. John's Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino in the second half against the Connecticut Huskies at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

March is here, and the madness is just getting started.

The Big East conference tournament will begin next weekend, but the St. Johns Red Storm got a taste of a high-intensity game on Saturday afternoon as they beat the Marquette Golden Eagles thanks to a buzzer-beater floater in overtime by Sadiku Ibine Ayo.

Rick Pitino spoke with Fox Sports' sideline reporter Robbie Hummel directly after the win, and St. John's head coach provided his immediate, heartfelt reaction to a stunning victory.

"You know, this team has a unique character. They never give up, even though [Kam] Jones was having an incredible game," said Pitino.

"They just stayed with it, Sim had an incredible play at the end, and I can't be more proud of this team. They do it every night for me. We're not always the best team, but we're one of the hardest working teams in America."

"We're not always the best team, but we're one of the hardest working teams in America."@RealPitino joined @RobbieHummel after @StJohnsBBall's buzzer beater victory in OT pic.twitter.com/rZB2ugOqoL

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) March 8, 2025

Even though it was Ayo who made the game-winner, RJ Luis had an incredible game. He scored 28 points while shooting an efficient 52 percent from the floor.

Pitino credited Lewis' performance, saying, "In the second half, when we needed scoring, he came through for us."

St. John's was already considered a real threat to win the Big East tournament and make some noise in the NCAA tournament, but this win proved just how battle-tested this roster is.

They stuck with a dangerous Marquette team the whole game and walked out of a hostile environment with a well-earned victory.

This win is the best way for a team to finish off their regular season, as they have their eyes set on making some noise in both the Big East and NCAA tournament.