Access the St. John's beat like never before

Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting withZach Braziller about the inside buzz on St. John’s.

Maybe coming off the bench will suit Ian Jackson.

He excelled in that role Thursday night.

The Bronx native and North Carolina transfer said all the right things about being a reserve Wednesday, and then he played like it could fit him, notching 20 points in the 14th-ranked Johnnies’ 97-49 destruction of Bucknell at Carnesecca Arena.

“I was just doing what I needed to do to impact the game on both ends of the floor,” said Jackson, who shot 6-for-13 from the field and hit two 3-pointers. “I was just out there flowing, just doing what I got to do to win.”

Maybe this will be a start for the 6-foot-5 Jackson, who had yet to find a rhythm with his hometown school.

He began to resemble the player who was such a big-time high school recruit, attacking and not hesitating.

It was a promising sign for St .John’s ahead of what is a monster week starting Monday in Las Vegas. He also had four rebounds and three assists in 21 strong minutes as St. John’s outscored Bucknell by 33 points with Jackson on the floor.

He also had zero turnovers, a point of emphasis from coach Rick Pitino.

“Just about getting better every day, listening to coach, taking feedback and just trying to implement what I’m being told,” Jackson said. “Tonight, no turnovers, three assists is something me and coach are big on. To get it done feels good.”

Pitino added: “I thought he did a really good job, defensively as well as offensively. He didn’t force things, he took it when it was there. In practice, he’s getting better and better.”

CHECK OUT THE LATEST BIG EAST STANDINGS AND ST. JOHN’S STATS

Overall, it was a feel-good night for St. John’s, who will face No. 16 Iowa State, Baylor and a team to be determined in Sin City.

Bryce Hopkins scored 20 points and hit three 3-pointers, Rubey Prey notched 14 points and three steals and Joson Sanon added 10 points and six rebounds. Dillon Mitchell (10 points, 11 rebounds, four steals, three blocks) provided the highlight of the night, a coast-to-coast, soaring two-handed jam that had the crowd on its feet.

“Dillon Mitchell today defensively was a demon,” Pitino said.

The Red Storm (3-1) sank a season-high 10 3-pointers on 26 attempts. Over the final 24:43 of action, St. John’s outscored Bucknell (2-4) by 43 points and has reached at least 90 in each of its first four games for the first time in program history. The game exhibited one of Pitino’s favorite aspects of this group: depth. The starters got off to a slow start, trailing 8-2 out of the gate. Pitino pulled them, bringing in five new players. It was a line change.

“In practice, the second-unit guys dominated the first-unit guys with tremendous enthusiasm and Dillon Mitchell, Ian Jackson and Ruben Prey [shot] 15-for-27 from the field, had one turnover and 17 rebounds [against Bucknell],” Pitino said. “It was a carry-over from practice. The good thing is, the first unit was struggling on offense and because of our depth, they came in and gave us a big lift.”

St. John’s closed out the half on a 23-7 run and led by 16 at the break. The lead reached 30 early in the second half, allowing Pitino to tinker with a number of different lineups. He used more groups with three guards than he had in the first three games, perhaps a hint of his plans for Las Vegas.

The Johnnies fell in their first major challenge, losing to No. 11 Alabama at the Garden a few weeks back. Now they have the chance to prove themselves on a national stage again.

“I think it’s a huge opportunity for us, as a group, as individuals,” Jackson said. “For us to go out there and play against teams like Iowa State and Baylor, it’s a true test to see where we are early in the season. We’re going to be ready for what’s to come.”