NEW YORK (AP) — Dillon Mitchell scored 18 points, Zuby Ejiofor added 17 and No. 5 St. John's opened its third season under Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino by overwhelming Quinnipiac 108-74 on Monday night.
Ian Jackson had 15 points and Joson Sanon, another touted transfer, added 14 off the bench as the new-look Red Storm racked up their most points since beating Mississippi Valley State 119-61 on Nov. 9, 2021.
Coming off a rousing turnaround season that included the program’s first NCAA Tournament victory in 25 years, the reigning Big East champions brought in the nation’s top-rated transfer class to surround Ejiofor, the preseason conference player of the year.
All that hype earned the Johnnies the highest preseason ranking in school history.
St. John’s showed off its new firepower right away, racing to a 19-4 lead 4:40 into the game after a steal and fast-break dunk by Mitchell. Nine players scored in the first 12 minutes, and the margin swelled to 45 with under 5 1/2 minutes remaining.
Playing at Carnesecca Arena on campus, the Red Storm never trailed and won their 12th straight season opener. They haven't lost a home opener since 2003-04, and Pitino improved to 30-1 in his last 31 home openers.
Jaden Zimmerman had 19 points for the Bobcats (0-1), picked to win the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference after taking the past two regular-season titles. Keith McKnight also scored 19 off the bench.
In a pregame ceremony, St. John's showed video highlights of last season and unveiled banners commemorating their Big East regular-season and tournament titles, along with Pitino's national coach of the year award.
The four returning players received their conference championship rings, and Pitino addressed the crowd.
“We're so proud of what we accomplished,” he said, before turning to the upcoming season: “We're going after the biggest prize of them all.”
Quinnipiac: Will host Central Connecticut on Thursday night.
St. John's: An early test Saturday against No. 15 Alabama at Madison Square Garden. That's the first of 12 regular-season home games scheduled at MSG — most for the Johnnies since 1951-52.
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Quinnipiac forward Spence Wewe (12) blocks St. John's forward Bryce Hopkins (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Dylan Guenther had two goals and an assist, Jack McBain added a goal and two assists, and the Utah Mammoth beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-1 on Tuesday night.
Daniil But, JJ Peterka and Michael Carcone each had a goal and an assist, Ian Cole each had two assists, and Barrett Hayon added an assist for Utah, which extended its point streak to 4-0-1. Karel Vejmelka had 19 saves while getting his NHL-leading 21st win.
Calle Jarnkrok scored as Toronto snapped a four game win streak and a 10-game point streak. Dennis Hildeby finished with 34 saves.
Guenther scored his two goals just 1:18 apart early in the second period, the fastest back-to-back goals by a single player in Mammoth franchise history, and pushed Utah's lead to 3-0. The sharp-shooting forward leads Utah with 23 goals on the season.
Peterka made it a four-goal lead with 4 1/2 minutes remaining in the second before Jarnkrok spoiled Vejmelka’s shutout bid 3:30 into the third.
McBain and But scored 3:25 apart late in the third to cap the scoring.
Carcone scored the first goal 3:22 into the game on a one-timer off a cross-ice pass from Nate Schmidt. Carcone, who grew up just north of Toronto, has scored Utah's opening goal in the last three matchups.
Sean Durzi had a cut on his face after colliding with Auston Matthews in the second period but returned to skate in the third.
Late in the first period, But seemed to have scored but officials whistled a face-off while the puck was still free.
Toronto: At Vegas on Thursday night.
Utah: Hosts Dallas on Thursday night to continue a seven-game homestand.
AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/nhl
Utah Mammoth defenseman Nate Schmidt (88) jumps over Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) hockey stick during the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)
Toronto Maple Leafs center Calle Jarnkrok (19) scores against Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)
Utah Mammoth left wing Lawson Crouse (67) shoots the puck against Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Dennis Hildeby (35) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)
Utah Mammoth center Nick Schmaltz (8) moves the puck on the ice against Toronto Maple Leafs center Steven Lorentz (18) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)
Utah Mammoth center Barrett Hayton (27) shoots the puck against Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Dennis Hildeby (35) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak)
