Dwight Hardy poured in a career-high 33 points as St. John's used a dominant second half to strengthen its bid for an at-large NCAA Tournament berth by knocking off No. 9 Connecticut 89-72 Thursday at Madison Square Garden.

Hardy trounced UConn star Kemba Walker in a matchup of two of the nation's top guards. Hardy went 10 for 17 from the field - including 5 for 8 from beyond the arc – while Walker finished with 15 points on 4-of-16 shooting, the latest in a string of uninspiring efforts for a player tabbed by many to be a high lottery pick in the June NBA draft.

It was the second statement-making victory in less than two weeks for the Red Storm (14-9, 6-5 Big East), who toppled then-No. 3 Duke 93-78 on Jan. 30. It also marked the fourth win for St. John's over a top 15 opponent in 2011, with each triumph coming at the Garden.

The Huskies (18-5, 6-5) failed to win their fifth consecutive road game, and saw their already slim chances at the top spot in the conference fall by the wayside in a stunningly weak performance.

D.J. Kennedy provided plenty of help for Hardy and the Red Storm with 20 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. Paris Horne added 12 points as St. John's shot 49.2 percent for the game while converting 20 of 22 free-throw attempts.

Walker, the lynchpin of the UConn offense, has shot 30.9 percent over his last seven games. He and Jeremy Lamb, who had stepped up during Walker's earlier struggles, combined to go 9 for 31 from the floor against St. John's.

After holding a 35-31 advantage at the break, St. John's extended the lead to double digits early in the second half. Hardy took charge shortly after with 12 straight St. John's points - including a pair of and-ones and two 3-pointers - and UConn didn't get within 15 points the rest of the way.