If only St. John's could play the hated Hoyas every day. For the second time in a week, a defensive struggle complete with a scoring drought somehow went the way of the Red Storm thanks to some clutch plays down the stretch. This time no overtime was needed. The season continues for another day. And since all the tickets were sold, it counts as a sellout — 19,375.

SJU has won four of its last six. The Red Storm had never beaten the Hoyas at the Big East Tournament -- they are now 1-5.

Georgetown hadn't lost its opening game of the Big East Tournament in five years.

The Red Storm won for the first time in the Big East Tournament under Norm Roberts. SJU will play No. 21 Marquette, the fifth seed, in the next round. It was the first victory for the program at the Big East Tournament since 2003.

The victory means that St. John's will have no worse than 16 wins — the same number as Georgetown. The Hoyas lost 11 of their last 15 games.

The 16 wins matches a single-season high under Roberts. A victory over Marquette would guarantee a non-losing season. 

60 of the Red Storm's 64 points were scored by the starting five. 

Paris Horne led SJU with 23 points.

Horne and D.J. Kennedy, who finished with 14 points, scored 27 of SJU's 30 first-half points. 

Sean Evans had 12 points and 13 rebounds.

Justin Burrell did not score in the first half, but had seven after half-time. 

Dele Coker returned from suspension and did nothing in one minute of action.

In seven minutes, Rob Thomas did not score, committed four fouls and had two turnovers. 

Chris Wright led Georgetown with 14 points.

The only other Hoya in double figures was Greg Monroe who had 13 points and eight rebounds before fouling out.

SJU had just seven assists to 13 turnovers. G'town was just as bad with eight assists to 15 turnovers. 

Georgetown went on a 12-0 run to take its first lead of the second half with 6:04 left in the game.

SJU went 24-of-29 from the free-throw line. Horne was 7-of-7, Evans was 4-of-5, Burrell was 3-for-3 and Quincy Roberts was 4-of-4.