The 2026 NCAA Tournament delivered a definitive “March Madness” moment on Sunday as the No. 5 seed St. John’s Red Storm shocked the No. 4 seed Kansas Jayhawks with a 67-65 victory at Viejas Arena. In a game defined by grit and a furious late-game rally, it was Dylan Darling who emerged as the ultimate hero. The sophomore guard, who had been scoreless the entire game, drove the length of the floor to bank in a layup as the horn sounded, sending Rick Pitino’s squad to their first Sweet 16 appearance since 1999.
Game Recap
St. John’s appeared to have the game firmly in hand for much of the afternoon, utilizing a stifling defense and red-hot perimeter shooting to build a 14-point lead midway through the second half. Bryce Hopkins was the catalyst early, connecting on a school-record six three-pointers to keep the Jayhawks at arm’s length. However, Bill Self’s Kansas squad showed their championship pedigree, mounting a massive 20-7 run over the final eight minutes.
The drama peaked in the closing seconds when Kansas star freshman Darryn Peterson drew a foul and sank two ice-cold free throws to tie the game at 65-65 with just 13.1 seconds remaining. After the Jayhawks used their remaining fouls to disrupt the clock, St. John’s was left with just 3.9 seconds to travel the length of the floor. Darling took the inbound, sliced through the Kansas defense, and lofted a high-arching layup that kissed the glass and fell through just as the red light illuminated, sparking a wild celebration on the court.
Standout Performances
- Zuby Ejiofor (SJU): Facing his former team, the big man was a force inside, tallying 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists.
- Bryce Hopkins (SJU): Set a new program record for an NCAA tournament game by hitting 6 three-pointers on his way to 18 points.
- Darryn Peterson (KU): The phenomenal freshman did everything in his power to keep Kansas alive, leading all scorers with 21 points and the game-tying free throws.
- Melvin Council Jr. (KU): Provided veteran stability with 15 points and 9 rebounds in a nearly 40-minute effort.
Key Takeaways From The Game
The Red Storm’s victory is a testament to the “Pitino Effect,” as St. John’s has now won 21 of their last 22 games. While Kansas dominated the field goal percentage battle (44.4% to 36.2%), their 16 turnovers proved fatal, allowing St. John’s to generate 18 points off takeaways. For the Jayhawks, this marks a disappointing fourth consecutive season without a Sweet 16 appearance, raising questions about the program’s recent tournament ceiling.
Game Stats Snapshot
| Team | Points | Key Stat | Top Performer |
| No. 5 St. John’s | 67 | 11 Made 3-Pointers | Zuby Ejiofor (18 PTS, 9 REB) |
| No. 4 Kansas | 65 | 44.4% FG Shooting | Darryn Peterson (21 PTS, 4 BLK) |
St. John’s now advances to the East Regional semifinals in Washington, D.C., where a titan-sized challenge awaits against the No. 1 overall seed Duke Blue Devils. Fans can track the updated NCAA Tournament bracket here to see the potential path to the Final Four. For more reactions and locker room footage from the Red Storm’s historic win, stay tuned to The Sportswire.
