St. John's Defeats Texas in Preseason Finale

St. John's basketball team achieved an impressive 87-74 victory against No. 7 Texas in their preseason finale at Madison Square Garden. This win came after coach Rick Pitino had expressed concerns about his team's readiness for a top opponent following a challenging quadruple-overtime win over Rutgers.

The Johnnies demonstrated their potential with standout performances, particularly from Keyshawn Hall, who scored 24 points. The team combined for 65 points from Hall, Ian Jackson, and Tounde Yessoufou, while also capitalizing on Texas's 16 turnovers to score 20 points. The Red Storm's defense and teamwork were evident, with 19 assists on 34 field goals.

Despite the victory, Hall and Yessoufou noted areas for improvement, particularly in defensive consistency and rebounding. Coach Pitino acknowledged the team's progress and expressed optimism about their readiness for the upcoming regular season, indicating that they have made significant strides in understanding his strategies.