Seton Hall
Second Half Surge Not Enough To Top No. 4 Wildcats
Date: February 28, 2018By Jose Feliciano
The Seton Hall Men’s Basketball Team (9-8 Big East, 20-10 Overall) fell to the No. 4 Villanova Wildcats (13-4 Big East, 26-4 Overall) 69-68 in an overtime thriller at a rocking Prudential Center. The game started off sluggish for both teams but both offenses ignited in the second half. With the loss, the Wildcats sweep the season series against Seton Hall as the Pirates previously fell to the Wildcats in the Wells Fargo Center 92-76 on February 4.
The first half looked like it was going to be a shootout early on as the Pirates and Wildcats went back and forth to start the game. The offensive after that was stagnant as they finished the first half shooting 21 percent from the field. The defense held up on their end as they limited the Wildcat offense to 32 percent shooting as well as 20 percent from deep.
The Seton Hall defense was solid throughout the second half but Villanova began to break away and led by as much as 11. The Pirates then ripped out a 14-2 run to give Seton Hall their first lead since the first minute of the game. Villanova came back after Donte DiVincenzo and Bridges hit back-to-back three’s to give them a five-point lead with six minutes remaining in the second. Michael Nzei came up big for Seton Hall with two baskets to give them a one-point lead.
The Wildcats took back the lead after a Brunson jump shot and then forced a Myles Cale turnover, which turned into two points on a layup from Bridges. Carrington took over for Seton Hall as he managed to tie up the game with 11 seconds left in regulation. The Wildcats could not hit the final shot and pushed the game into overtime.
Overtime was tight early on until the Wildcats pulled away with a pair of three-pointers from Phil Booth and Bridges. The Pirates came within three after a dunk from Cale but it came at a price as he ended up being injured on the play. Eron Gordon came to replace him. Kevin Willard said after the game that Cale was only cramped up. The Pirates sent DiVincenzo to the line and he hit his two shots to put Villanova up seven. After a Carrington miss, Gordon shot an off-balance three from the corner to bring it within four. The Pirates defense then forced a five-second violation to get the ball back, which led to a layup from Powell who also drew a foul. After Powell missed his free throw attempt, Seton Hall forced Omari Spellman to the line who only hit one of two. Carrington on the next possession slammed a dunk to bring it within one. Seton Hall forced Brunson to the line and he hit both his shots. With one second on the clock, Carrington was fouled on a two-point shot he missed. He made his two free throws, but there was not enough time for the Pirates to take it back, ultimately leading to their defeat.
“That was an old-fashioned Big East rock fight,” Villanova Head Coach Jay Wright said on the game. “There are no cake-walks in the Big East,” Khadeen Carrington said after the game, “you face a tough team every game.”
“Ish could be out, he sprained his ankle. I don't know if Ish will be back Saturday, I'd say he's doubtful for Saturday. Desi is still doubtful for Saturday. He looked better today, but we'll see,” Willard said when asked about the health of the players. Willard went on to say that he expects Rodriguez to be ready for the Big East Tournament.
The Pirates will be back in action one more time in the regular season for senior night this Saturday, March 3 against the Butler Bulldogs. Tip-off is at 8:00 p.m. and will be covered on 89.5 FM WSOU.
Jose Feliciano can be reached jose.feliciano@student.shu.edu
