St. John's Falls 83-82 to Iowa State in Las Vegas Debut, Face Baylor Showdown Under Pressure

The St. John's Red Storm learned the hard way that early-season hype doesn't guarantee results. On Monday, November 24, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. ET, they dropped an 83-82 heartbreaker to the Iowa State Cyclones at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, marking the first time in program history they’ve played in the city. The loss, coming after a 45-43 halftime lead, wasn’t just a stumble—it’s a warning shot. With a showdown against Baylor looming Tuesday, the Red Storm now face mounting pressure to prove they belong among the nation’s elite.

A Game of Inches and Injuries

It was the kind of game that swings on a single possession. St. John’s, led by Rick Pitino—a coach who’s been to three Final Fours and was a top-3 seed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament—held a two-point edge at the break. Milan Momcilovic was electric early, scoring 13 first-half points, while Zuby Ejiofor, Bryce Hopkins, and Dillon Mitchell kept pace with Iowa State’s balanced attack. But the Cyclones, under T.J. Otzelberger, tightened up in the second half. Their 6-foot-10 transfer center, Blake Buchanan, from Virginia, disrupted Ejiofor’s rhythm, and guard Lipsey—who finished with 18 points—made clutch plays down the stretch.

Then came the twist: Lipsey suffered a lower-body extremity injury late in the game. Otzelberger offered no specifics, only: "We’re still evaluating... day-to-day." That’s a huge variable for a team that relies on his perimeter threat. Meanwhile, St. John’s couldn’t close. Ejiofor, who entered the game averaging 15.0 points but had been visibly off in prior outings, finished with 14 points on 5-of-16 shooting. "I didn’t play up to my standards," he admitted afterward. "I didn’t read the defense right. That’s on me."

The Weight of Expectations

This isn’t just any November loss. St. John’s was preseason top-10 material. Ejiofor, Hopkins (15.5 ppg), and Jackson (14.5 ppg) are all on the Wooden Award Preseason Top 50 Watch List—only the second time in school history that trio has earned national player-of-the-year recognition. The Red Storm were supposed to be contenders. Now, after two games in Las Vegas, they’re 1-1 and staring at a 1-2 finish if they lose to Baylor. That’s not just a missed opportunity—it’s a potential narrative disaster.

CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander, reporting from the Vegas Strip, put it bluntly: "St. John’s would be one of the bigger disappointments of the first three weeks of the season if it leaves Las Vegas 1-2 or worse." And he’s right. This isn’t about one bad night. It’s about whether this team can handle pressure, execute in crunch time, and rise above individual slumps.

A Rematch With History

Tuesday’s game against Baylor isn’t just another non-conference test. It’s a rematch of the 2024 Baha Mar Championship, where Baylor edged St. John’s 1-point in double overtime. Pitino downplayed the personal angle: "I’m not facing Drew. I’m facing Baylor. He’s facing us." Fair enough. But rosters have changed. Baylor’s backcourt is faster. St. John’s frontcourt is more experienced. Both teams are top-15. Both want to prove something.

Pitino’s challenge? Get Ejiofor back on track. Get Hopkins to control the tempo. And get his bench to contribute. The Red Storm’s reserves were outscored 24-8 in the second half against Iowa State. That won’t cut it against a disciplined Baylor team coached by Scott Drew, who’s built a consistent powerhouse without ever needing a five-star recruit.

The Business Behind the Ball

Amid all the drama, the Players Era Championship is quietly reshaping college basketball’s economics. Paying out more than $20 million to participating schools in 2025, the event has drawn sponsorships from Geico, MGM Resorts, Publicis Groupe, Lilly, and Sam’s Club. The Big 12 has committed to the tournament for the next five years. For schools like St. John’s, this isn’t just about exposure—it’s about revenue.

"The 2025 men’s tournament itself is profitable," said event organizer Orefice. "We’re incredibly proud to have made the financial commitment to schools."

Yet questions linger. Is this a sustainable model? Or just a flashy, corporate-heavy spectacle? The fact that St. John’s game wasn’t broadcast on 1050 AM or 880 AM in New York—only available via apps and SiriusXM—hints at the tension between tradition and commercialization.

What’s Next?

St. John’s has 48 hours to reset. They need Ejiofor to rediscover his confidence. They need Hopkins to lead. They need to defend better in the final minutes. And they need to prove they’re not just a team with a big name and a flashy schedule.

If they beat Baylor, the narrative flips. They’re resilient. They’re tough. They’re back on track. If they lose? The disappointment won’t just be on the scoreboard—it’ll echo through recruiting rooms, fan forums, and locker rooms all winter.