St. John’s is in position to start piling up wins and has to do it. Its next four games are against Seton Hall and then three teams it already has beaten once – Xavier, Georgetown and Providence. The Red Storm should want to go into the Feb. 4 meeting with No. 7 Marquette at the Garden at 10-1 in the Big East and with a full head of steam.

The Red Storm and Hoyas traded blows all night at Madison Square Garden, but it was ultimately St. John’s that secured the victory.

Despite having its best start to Big East play in over two decades, St. John’s was on the ropes at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night. The Red Storm, playing without starting point guard Deivon Smith (right shoulder sprain),