Ponds scores 22 in return, St. John's beats Creighton 81-66

Creighton's Davion Mintz (1) drives past St. John's Sedee Keita (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Creighton's Mitch Ballock (24) drives past St. John's LJ Figueroa (30) and Shamorie Ponds (2) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

St. John's Shamorie Ponds (2) shoots over Creighton's Davion Mintz (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, in New York. St. John's won 81-66. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

St. John's LJ Figueroa (30) passes the ball to Justin Simon (5) as he drives past Creighton's Martin Krampelj and Mitch Ballock (24) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, in New York. St. John's won 81-66. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Creighton's Davion Mintz (1) drives past St. John's Sedee Keita (0) and LJ Figueroa (30) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Creighton's Martin Krampelj, above, and St. John's Mustapha Heron fight for control of the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

St. John's head coach Chris Mullin calls out to his team during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Creighton Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

St. John's Shamorie Ponds (2) drives past Creighton's Ty-Shon Alexander (5) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, in New York. St. John's won 81-66. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Creighton's Davion Mintz (1) drives past St. John's Sedee Keita (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Creighton head coach Greg McDermott reacts during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against St. John's Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

St. John's Sedee Keita (0) and Justin Simon (5) watch as Creighton's Martin Krampelj (15) dunks the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Creighton's Davion Mintz (1) defends St. John's Shamorie Ponds (2) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

St. John's Marvin Clark II (13) blocks a shot by Creighton's Davion Mintz (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, in New York. St. John's won 81-66. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Creighton's Davion Mintz (1) defends St. John's Shamorie Ponds (2) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

St. John's Shamorie Ponds (2) drives past Creighton's Davion Mintz (1) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

St. John's Justin Simon (5) drives past Creighton's Martin Krampelj during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2019, in New York. St. John's won 81-66. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)