- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,130,247
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
St. John's buzzer-beater video: Dylan Darling sends Rick Pitino's squad to Sweet 16 with win over Kansas originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Rick Pitino and St. John's are headed to the Sweet 16, and it might not be possible without Dylan Darling.
With their backs against the wall after a late-game collapse, the Red Storm survived and advanced against a relentless Kansas team when Darling drove to the basket and sunk a game-winning shot at the buzzer to give the Red Storm a 67-65 win.
The moment came after Kansas tied the score on two Darryn Peterson free throws, then committed four fouls to take time off the clock and give St. John's as little time as possible to get a shot off. The Jayhawks got the clock down from 13 seconds to 3.9, but it wasn't enough to prevent Darling from becoming the hero for New York's team.
Here's a look at the moment St. John's advanced to the Sweet 16.
MARCH MADNESS HQ: Live NCAA bracket | Full TV schedule | Printable bracket
St. John's buzzer beater vs. Kansas
Darling never gave up the ball after taking the inbounds pass with 3.9 seconds remaining, driving to the basket and putting it right in at the buzzer to send the St. John's bench into a frenzy.
Those were Darling's first points of the game. Zuby Ejiofor and Bryce Hopkins carried the load for St. John's offensively in what was a defense-heavy game, but Pitino drew up a play that forced Kansas' defense to focus on the rest of his offensive weapons while Darling took advantage of a clear path to the rim.
Here's another look at the buzzer beater from Darling:
Darling's shot is the first true game-winning buzzer beater in the NCAA Tournament since Derik Queen sent Maryland to the Sweet 16 in 2025, and it's only the sixth in the last 10 tournaments.
MORE:How Darryn Peterson, Kansas failed to solve St. John's defense
Who is Dylan Darling?
Darling, a redshirt junior, transferred to St. John's from Idaho after winning Big Sky Player of the Year honors last season.
Darling accepted a much smaller role in the Big East, as he came off the bench in 13 of 33 games before Sunday's contest, but he has come up big in spurts for the Red Storm with 2.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game despite averaging about 21 minutes per game.
While Darling is looking to win a few more games in a St. John's uniform this season, he is also eligible to return next season for Pitino.
Continue reading...
