New York City- The final twenty minutes saw Big East regular season champion Xavier broke open a close contest and roll over the Red Storm in the noon game at Madison Square Garden. Xavier led 33-29 at the half, then dominated those final twenty minutes. The numbers:

Possessions: Xavier 70 St. John's 72 (fast paced tempo)

Offensive efficiency: Xavier 126, St. John's 83 (Chris Mack's group posted great numbers on both offense and defense).

Four Factors:

eFG Pct: Xavier 55, St. John's 41

FT rate: Xavier 48, St. John's 24

OREB pct: Xavier 27, St. John's 13

TO rate: Xavier 10, St. John's 15

Leading scorers: Xavier- Trevon Bluiett 27 points

St. John's- Marvin Clark II 18.

Difference: Defense. Mack lauded the defensive intensity and communication off the ball, especially the second half. That defense forced Shamorie Ponds of St. John's into a 4 of 14 shooting performance. Ponds did score 15 points aided by 7 of 8 from the line. Xavier would not allow Chris Mullins' Red Storm to force turnovers-something Mack feels they do particularly well. Xavier had only 7 turnovers. They forced 11 on St. John's (the Red Storm TO rate of 15% is above average). Those turnovers committed by St. John's were damaging as Xavier enjoyed a significant 22-2 advantage on points off turnovers.

St. John's finishes 16-17. Xavier is 28-4 awaiting the winner of Providence and Creighton in Friday's semis.