St. John’s’ triumphant return to college basketball’s upper echelon was cemented with Saturday’s Big East Championship victory over Creighton, although the night wasn’t entirely enjoyable for all the local fans at Madison Square Garden.
Yes, coach Rick Pitino’s Red Storm cruised to an 82-66 win by blowing out the Bluejays by 19 points over the second half. But it was over that final 20 minutes of action that one Creighton fan got into a shocking confrontation with St. John’s supporters, resulting in several beers being spilled and a visit from security.
As observed by DailyMail.com’s Jake Fenner, who has been reporting from the tournament, a woman rooting for Creighton found herself arguing with several St. John’s supporters in the second half. She apparently angered her neighbors at MSG by standing after every Bluejays’ basket, and when she was told her enthusiasm was unnecessary, she shot back at her critics.
‘I’ll do what I want,’ the Creighton fan said.
The Bluejays fan, who had been in the same seat for much of the tournament, appeared to confront a woman wearing St. John’s colors only to have a beer spilled in her direction.
It was at this moment that the Creighton supporter became irate and attempted to charge at the St. John’s fans, only for her male companion to successfully restrain her. Ultimately she could be seen flipping off some of the St. John’s faithful.
As observed by DailyMail.com’s Jake Fenner, who has been reporting on the tournament, a woman rooting for Creighton found herself arguing with several St. John’s supporters
The Bluejays fan, who had been in the same seat for much of the tournament, appeared to confront a woman wearing St. John’s colors only to have a beer spilled in her direction
Both the Creighton fan and her friend were escorted from the area after the disruption
Both the Creighton fan and her friend were escorted from the area. Big East Tournament officials did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for further information.
Despite the distraction, Saturday was an important night for a men’s basketball program that had been dormant until the Hall of Famer Pitino arrived last season.
Now, four months after the program’s patriarch Lou Carnesecca passed away at 99, Pitino has guided the Red Storm to its first Big East title in 25 years.
Pitino is now the sixth coach ever to guide six different programs to the NCAA men’s basketball tournament after previously doing so at Boston University, Providence, Kentucky, Louisville and Iona.
‘For all the St. John’s fans, this is for you!’ Pitino said after the win. ‘St. John’s is New York’s team!
‘I saved the best for last,’ Pitino added.
Not only has St. John’s gone 25 years without a Big East title, but the Red Storm hasn’t win an NCAA tournament in this millennium either.
