GEICO PLAYERS ERA MEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP

November 26, 2025

Sidiku Ibine Ayo

MGM Grand Garden Arena

St. John's Red Storm

Postgame Press Conference

Auburn - 85, St. John's - 74

Q. What did you see of the last five minutes that turned that game?

SADIKU IBINE AYO: What can I say. We can't blame each other but our team and just need to stay focused and (indiscernible) red hot to win together. A bunch of new guys [inaudible] and to play with each other and [inaudible].

Q. What did you see and why [inaudible]?

SADIKU IBINE AYO: [Inaudible] I think just more of issues that we need to focus on (indiscernible).

Q. Did you feel like when you guys were preparing for Auburn that you guys had [inaudible] on the Baylor game?

SADIKU IBINE AYO: Not necessarily. Just trying to focus on each game at a time. We're trying to win every game as much as possible.

Q. What have you seen as the biggest difference from the way the team played defense last year to how they're playing defense this year?

SADIKU IBINE AYO: I think you can't compare last year's to this year. It's a whole different team. We've just got to figure out (indiscernible) this team and figure out how we can win these games [inaudible].

Q. When that last nine minutes is happening, what is it like to be in the middle of that?

SADIKU IBINE AYO: Me and Zuby, we've been in positions like this with the team. It's 11 points. It's good it happened earlier. [Inaudible] we would get back and get ready for the next game.

Q. Do you think in making -- you guys got off to a bad start but then you're up 11 in the second half. Do you think you guys -- the energy is exerted to get the lead, did that take something out of you late in the game?

SADIKU IBINE AYO: I wouldn't say that. Like I said, we've just got to let [inaudible] because winning is the most important thing. When we do that we'll come out with a lot of wins this seasons.

Q. You've struggled in close games. Is that because of it's so new? What do you make why you've struggled in close games?

SADIKU IBINE AYO: That's what I'm saying. We're still trying to figure out how to win as a team. We're still working together and getting more comfortable.