Seton Hall
Pirates Beat Butler in Last-Second Nail Biter
Date: January 6, 2018
(Photo: SHU Athletics)
By: Bob Towey
Seton Hall men's basketball (14-2, 3-0) defeated Butler (12-5, 2-2), 90-87, at Hinkle Fieldhouse on Saturday, marking the first time since the 1998-99 season that the Pirates are 3-0 to begin their conference schedule.
The Pirates came out to a slow start against Butler, with the Bulldogs holding as much as a seven point lead over Seton Hall throughout the first half. Butler appeared to distribute the ball well, and Paul Jorgensen, Henry Baddley, and Nate Fowler each scored six points to sustain the Bulldogs' offensive effort. Angel Delgado carried the Hall through the first 20 minutes, and appeared uncontainable in the paint. He ended the half shooting 8-of-10 with 18 points and four rebounds. No other Seton Hall player had more than eight points to close the half.
The energetic home atmosphere at Hinkle, which just a week before helped propel Butler to a 101-93 win over then-No. 1 Villanova, again electrified Butler's offense to preserve a 40-36 lead over the Hall entering halftime.
Early in the second half, it appeared Butler carried over the momentum from its impressive start to the game. Kelan Martin's 20 points in the second half ignited the Bulldogs, and it seemed every time the Pirates scored a big basket, Butler would always respond to preserve the deficit.
However, Khadeen Carrington came alive for Seton Hall late in the half, burying a sequence of clutch three point baskets to bring the game even. Carrington finished the game with 29 points and six assists after a seven point first half.
The game came down to the wire, and eventually Seton Hall triumphed on two made free throws from Delgado and Myles Powell. Butler's Kamar Baldwin kept things interesting with a late three pointer that brought the game within one, but Delgado's free throws sealed the deal to guarantee victory for the Hall.
Throughout the game, Seton Hall received minimal help from its bench, and Butler's bench outscored the Pirates' 32-14. Carrington, Delgado, and Desi Rodriguez combined for 76 of the team's 90 points.
The Pirates continue their Big East play on Jan. 9 when they take on the Marquette Golden Eagles (10-3) at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Last season, Seton Hall defeated the Golden Eagles 69-66 at home, but fell to Marquette 89-86 in overtime on the road.
Bob Towey can be reached at robert.towey@student.shu.edu.
