Pirates' Struggles Continue Against Xavier

Published: Tuesday, December 31, 2024

by Darren Worrell

CINCINNATI – On Tuesday afternoon at the Cintas Center, the Seton Hall men’s basketball team (5-9) fell to Xavier (9-5) 94-72. This is the first five-game losing streak the Pirates have suffered since 2012-13.

The game started quickly, with Seton Hall coming out strong. The Pirates opened with a 5-0 run, highlighted by an early jumper from Isaiah Coleman and a wide-open 3-pointer from Jahseem Felton.

Felton, making his first career start, did not shy away from the moment. He looked confident and made an immediate impact, scoring nine points in 18 minutes. From the start, Felton’s energy was one of the few positives for the Pirates throughout the game.

Xavier responded quickly after some missed opportunities by Seton Hall. Marcus Foster put the Musketeers on the board with a driving layup, sparking their rhythm. A fast-break layup by Ryan Conwell cut Seton Hall’s lead to one point, and from there, Xavier’s defense began to show its strength.

The Musketeers capitalized on Seton Hall's turnovers, fueling a 12-0 run that shifted momentum in their favor. Conwell was on fire, scoring 18 of his 22 points in the first half. Along with Jerome Hunter, he helped Xavier build a solid lead.

Despite being on its heels for most of the half, Seton Hall kept fighting, but Xavier had an answer every time the Pirates seemed to gain ground. By the break, Seton Hall trailed 44-31 and needed to regroup.

The second half mirrored the first, with Xavier maintaining and extending its lead. Both teams faced foul trouble, sending each to the line 20 times. Seton Hall played more passively on defense to avoid fouls but continued attacking the basket and showing resilience.

Xavier, meanwhile, did not let up. Even though Conwell fouled out and McKnight had a tough shooting night, the Musketeers leaned on their depth. Dailyn Swain came alive, scoring 11 points in the second half after a quiet first, while Foster and Hughley IV helped hold it down, ensuring Xavier stayed in control and sealed the win. 

The Pirates may not have improved, but there were positives. With a need for additional scorers, they found them. Scotty Middleton scored 12 points, hitting 2 of 3 from beyond the arc and making key free throws. Chaunce Jenkins added 11 points and 4 assists. Freshman Jahseem Felton contributed 9 points, showing promise as a point guard. Isaiah Coleman led with 19 points.

One area of significant improvement was Seton Hall's free-throw shooting. After struggling in recent games, the Pirates shot 83% from the line, a key factor in a game marked by heavy fouling. Seton Hall also performed well on the boards, outrebounding Xavier, which was especially important with Xavier missing Fremantle.

After a brief break, Seton Hall will return to action Jan. 8 against DePaul at the Prudential Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and Brian Henderson and Jackson Shank will have the call. Tune into 89.5 FM WSOU for pregame coverage beginning at 6 p.m. 

Darren Worrell can be reached at darren.worrell@student.shu.edu. 

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