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LAS VEGAS — If Tuesday’s rousing rout of Baylor was a step in the right direction, then Wednesday was a major step back.

With a chance to head home on a winning note, St. John’s was sloppy, shaky defensively and blew an 11-point second half lead in a dismal 85-74 setback to No. 21 Auburn to close out the Players Era Festival.

A hobbled Dylan Darling logged an ineffective seven minutes as Tahaad Pettiford torched the 14th-ranked Johnnies for 24 points. St. John’s was led by Zuby Ejiofor’s 24 points, although he managed only seven after halftime.

The Red Storm were outscored by 20 points

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