CINCINNATI — Rick Pitino’s 900th win was as tense and dramatic as many of the previous 899.

Down 16 points early in the second half and with his star, forward Zuby Ejiofor, on the bench after fouling out in the final minute, St. John’s found a way to get the Hall of Fame coach the milestone win.

Dylan Darling came up big in crunch time as the suddenly refuse-to-lose Johnnies prevailed at hostile Cintas Center, 88-83 over Xavier, giving Pitino the 900th on-court victory of his career in his first matchup against his son Richard as league rivals.

“Nine hundred [wins] means that I’ve had longevity,” the elder Pitino said. “I spent 10 years in the pros, and so 900 with 10 years in the pros is really something. I’m very thankful to all my players, to all my assistant coaches for helping me get there.”

Afterward, St. John’s players were given commemorative T-shirts. In the visitors locker room, they doused Pitino with a bucket of Gatorade and Ejiofor gave Pitino the game-used basketball as a keepsake. The soaked coach told his players: “To be with you for 900 is extra special.”

St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino, center, is congratulated by his team after earning his 900th career coaching win against Xavier, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in Cincinnati. AP

“It was awesome,” Darling said. “He won’t say he really wanted this win, [but] we all know he really wanted this win over his son. Really fun to be able to pull through.”

Darling scored five of his 11 points in the final 1:20, including the game-winning 3-pointer with 53.2 seconds left, and Ruben Prey added a key offensive rebound and stick-back that iced it.

CHECK OUT THE LATEST BIG EAST STANDINGS AND ST. JOHN’S STATS

Filip Borovicanin’s 3-point play fouled out Ejiofor with 1:12 to go. It gave Xavier a one-point edge. But Darling sank a 3-pointer on the other end, and St. John’s forced a Tre Carroll turnover.

Soon, the Johnnies (15-5, 8-1 Big East) were celebrating their sixth consecutive victory. It also marked their second straight time coming from at least 15 points down to win, taking a page out of last year’s team’s playbook. On Tuesday, they rallied to beat Seton Hall after digging themselves a deep hole early in the second half.

St. John’s Red Storm forward Zuby Ejiofor (24) pokes the ball away from Xavier Musketeers forward Jovan Milicevic (24) in the first half at the Cintas Center. Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

St. John’s Red Storm guard Dylan Darling (0) drives to the basket against Xavier Musketeers forward Filip Borovicanin (4) in the second half at the Cintas Center. Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

“When your team, with that type of crowd, doesn’t bend, doesn’t break, just keeps staying in there, it’s remarkable how they’re playing right now,” Pitino said. “So I’m really proud of them.”

Bryce Hopkins had a big second half and finished with 18 points and eight rebounds. Dillon Mitchell’s ascension continued with 17 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals, Ian Jackson scored 16 points and Ejiofor added 13 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and three steals. Carroll led Xavier (11-9, 3-6) with a career-high 31 points.

It was Pitino’s fourth win in five meetings over his son, Richard, who dressed for the occasion. Richard typically wears a sweatsuit to games, but he dressed up in a suit this time. When Pitino saw his son before the game, he cracked a smile.

“He hates wearing suits, so I really appreciated that,” Rick said, and joked: “It’s probably my suit.”

St. John’s Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino, left, talks with Xavier Musketeers head coach Richard Pitino, right, before their game at the Cintas Center. Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

Your weekly dispatch from the No. 1 source on the Johnnies

Sign up for Inside St. John’s by Zach Braziller, exclusively on Sports+.

Thank you

It was a wild second half. St. John’s, down 16 at one point, went up five with less than three minutes left. But Carroll hit a deep stepback 3-pointer and Malik Messina-Moore scored on a drive to pull Xavier even at 79-79 with 1:38 remaining. When Ejiofor fouled out, and the Musketeers retook the lead, the Red Storm hopes felt dim. Then, Darling hit a big shot and they got a key stop to cap their second straight dramatic comeback win.

“Pretty amazing that it’s happening with really other people than Zuby,” Pitino said. “I think it’s contagious — Zuby’s enthusiasm, Zuby’s toughness, is really flowing to the other guys. It’s great to see.”