The Pirates Host the Hoyas in a BIG EAST Battle

Published: Wednesday, February 7, 2024

by Liam Harding

After rebounding from a three-game losing skid with a trouncing over the Blue Demons of DePaul, The Seton Hall Pirates (14-8, 7-4 BIG EAST) welcome the Hoyas of Georgetown University (8-13, 1-9 BIG EAST) to the Brick City for a Big East Conference clash. In that game against DePaul, the Pirates flexed their defensive muscles, holding the Blue Devils to 22% shooting on the night.  
 
The poor shooting percentage for DePaul translated to 39 points, which are the fewest the Hall has ever allowed against a BIG EAST opponent. Not only was the defense stout for the Pirates, offensively they were able to see three players score in double figures.  
 
Leading the way for all scorers in the game was senior forward Dre Davis, with 16 points and 12 rebounds, notching his first collegiate double-double. In only his third start as a Pirate, freshmen Isaiah Coleman scored an efficient 15 points on 5-8 from the field and 50% from beyond the arch. Graduate student Jaden Bediako finished the night with 12 points and seven boards in only 23 minutes. Most exciting was the return of senior guard Kadary Richmond, who was out the previous two games with body soreness.  
 
Coming into this matchup, the Pirates are winners of their last six outings against the Hoyas, a streak they are hoping to continue. Last time the two faced off, it was a close one, as the Pirates narrowly outlasted the Hoyas down in D.C. In that first half, it was a game of runs. The Pirates started first with a 14-0 run shortly in the contest. The lead would go on to grow to 24-8 with much of the first half to go. That was before the Hoyas whittled the lead down to two. With the lead narrowing, Coleman was the spark needed to survive the first half.  
 
After a close first half, the Hoyas rallied, outscoring the Pirates by four in the second half. The Pirates began with a run to create a 14-point lead. The Hoyas kept fighting and with 3:15 left in the game, they took their first lead. After the Hoyas caught up to the Pirates, senior guard Dylan Addae-Wusu came up huge with back-to-back big plays. The first being his fourth steal of the night, followed by drawing a game-changing offensive foul.  
 
In that outing, Dawes, and Richmond both posted 20-point outings. Coupled with 12 points by Dre Davis, the win was done by the starting five. The Pirates bench, was almost obsolete, with Coleman scoring the reserves seven points.  
 
After the week off, the Pirates look to continue where they left off at DePaul. With Kadary Richmond back and Dre Davis, who was recently named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll, rested and prepared, all sights are turned toward Jayden Epps, Ed Cooley, and the Georgetown Hoyas. This game is poised to be another classic in the book of Seton Hall versus Georgetown. Ryan Henry and Victor Gonzalez will be on the call. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. 
 
Liam Harding can be reached at liam.harding@student.shu.edu  

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