Seton Hall 78, No. 17 St. John’s 67: Sterling Gibbs collected 25 points and a season-high eight assists as the Pirates held off the visiting Red Storm in the Big East opener for both teams.

Jaren Sina matched a season high with 14 points and Angel Delgado recorded 13 points and 12 rebounds for Seton Hall (11-2). Brandon Mobley added 13 points and 10 boards while Khadeen Carrington scored 11 off the bench for the Pirates.

D’Angelo Harrison scored 25 points to lead St. John’s (11-2), which had a seven-game winning streak come to an end. Phil Greene IV scored 15 points and Rysheed Jordan added 11 for the Red Storm.

Sina’s 3-pointer just in front of the midway point of the second half gave Seton Hall its biggest lead 58-44 before St. John’s ran off six straight points. Harrison’s free throws cut the deficit to 65-63 but Gibbs buried a 3-pointer to beat the shot clock and the Pirates were able to put it away at the line.

The Red Storm held a slim lead for much of the first half until Sina and Gibbs each buried a 3-pointer as part of an 8-0 run closing the period that sent Seton Hall into the break up 40-35. Gibbs fed Sina for a transition 3-pointer with 12 1/2 minutes left to extend the advantage to 53-43.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Sina and Gibbs combined to go 9-of-15 from 3-point range while St. John’s hit 5-of-20 from beyond the arc. … Red Storm C Chris Obekpa recorded five blocks and has 15 in the last three games. … The Pirates attempted 31 free throws (making 22) while St. John’s went 10-of-16 from the line.