St. John’s Beats Iona 104-65 as Yessoufou Scores 23
No. 13 St. John’s defeated Iona 104-65 at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sunday, November 8, 2026, behind Tounde Yessoufou’s 23 points, improving to 2-0 in its regular-season debut at the arena.
The 39-point victory marked the third time St. John’s has reached 100 points under head coach Rick Pitino.
Five Red Storm players scored in double figures as the team shot 55.2% from the field and 46.4% from three-point range.
Freshman guard Ian Jackson opened the scoring for St. John’s with three three-pointers, accounting for its first nine points.
A 21-4 first-half run helped the Red Storm build a commanding 54-23 halftime advantage.
Yessoufou Leads St. John’s Scoring Attack
Making his first career start for St. John’s, Baylor transfer Yessoufou scored his game-high 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting, including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc.
The forward added seven rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots in just 21 minutes. His production gave St.
John’s an efficient scoring option while its defensive pressure repeatedly disrupted Iona’s possessions.
Yessoufou’s performance highlighted a Red Storm attack that combined efficient outside shooting with defensive pressure.
Jackson finished with 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting. Keyshawn Hall contributed 13 points, while Zsombor Maronka scored 12 and Lefteris Liotopoulos added 10.
Guard Quinn Ellis delivered 11 assists against just one turnover, directing an offense that converted 37 of its 67 field-goal attempts.
Defensive Pressure Disrupts Iona Offense
St. John’s full-court press and defensive traps forced Iona into difficult possessions. The Gaels committed 17 turnovers, which the Red Storm converted into 25 points off turnovers.
Iona reserve Ore Odutayo led the Gaels with 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting, but the visitors could not match St. John’s offensive efficiency or contain its perimeter attack.
The matchup also featured former St. John’s captain Sadiku Ibine Ayo, who transferred to Iona.
Introduced first to the Madison Square Garden crowd, he received a pregame video tribute before finishing with 11 points against his former team.
His return added a personal storyline to a matchup dominated by St. John’s scoring depth and pressure defense.
What to Watch Next
St. John’s enters its next nonconference game at 2-0 under Pitino. The next opponents and game dates for both teams have not been confirmed in the available schedule information.
Key Story Metrics & Analytical Comparison
| Statistic | Game Result |
|---|---|
| Final score | St. John’s 104, Iona 65 |
| Halftime score | St. John’s 54, Iona 23 |
| St. John’s field goals | 37-of-67 (55.2%) |
| St. John’s three-pointers | 13-of-28 (46.4%) |
| Iona turnovers | 17 |
| St. John’s points off turnovers | 25 |
| Leading scorer | Tounde Yessoufou, 23 points |
| Assist leader | Quinn Ellis, 11 assists |
