Pirates Secure Third Place in Charleston Classic

Published: Monday, November 25, 2024

by Nick DiBlasi

CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Seton Hall Pirates (4-3) left South Carolina as third-place finishers in the 2024 Charleston Classic, defeating the Florida Atlantic Owls (4-4) 63-61 on Sunday night. In a game of runs, the Pirates' strong defense and standout performances from Chaunce Jenkins and Scotty Middleton powered them to victory.

Heading into the tournament, Florida Atlantic led the nation with a 43.6% three-point shooting percentage and ranked second in total points with 483. Seton Hall took those stats personally, holding the Owls to a dismal 14.2% from beyond the arc and 34% overall from the field.

While FAU struggled offensively, Seton Hall delivered one of its best offensive performances. Chaunce Jenkins contributed 15 points on 5-of-15 shooting, including 3-of-8 from three-point range, as the Pirates shot 45.5% from beyond the arc. Scotty Middleton set a season-high with 10 points in the first half, sparking a rally that helped the Pirates recover from a slow start.

The opening possessions were controlled by KyKy Tandy, a preseason All-AAC Second Team selection, and his Florida Atlantic teammates. Seton Hall didn’t score until the fourth minute, when Chaunce Jenkins ignited his strong shooting night with a step-back three-pointer. 

The Pirates opened 0-for-8 from the field before Jenkins led the charge, marking his fifth game as Seton Hall's leading scorer this season and his 55th double-digit scoring effort. Once Jenkins, Middleton, and their teammates shifted the momentum, FAU endured a scoring drought through the end of the first half.

The Pirates carried a comfortable 12-point lead into halftime, but the Owls came out swinging after the break. Florida Atlantic trimmed the deficit to eight (41-33) with 14:32 remaining, led by starters Leland Walker and Baba Miller, who shouldered the scoring load to keep the game competitive in Charleston.

The Pirates could never fully pull away, as a thrilling 15-7 FAU run narrowed the lead to five with about four minutes left. Key plays from Isaiah Coleman and Yacine Toumi helped Seton Hall hold off the Owls' late comeback push. In the final seconds, Prince Aligbe went 1-of-2 from the free-throw line, giving the Pirates a two-point edge with one possession remaining for FAU. True to their defensive form, Seton Hall forced KyKy Tandy into a tough shot, sealing the third-place victory.

Seton Hall improved its all-time Charleston Classic record to 6-3 with the win over FAU in the first-ever meeting between the programs. The Pirates return to action on Saturday, Nov. 30, at the Prudential Center against the Monmouth Hawks. Chris Jones and Lauren Reese will have the call on 89.5 FM WSOU. Tip-off is scheduled for noon, with pregame coverage starting at 11:45 a.m.

Nick DiBlasi is an Assistant Social Media Director at 89.5 WSOU and can be reached at nicholas.diblasi@student.shu.edu. 

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