Pirates' Comeback Falls Short Against Hoyas

Published: Monday, December 23, 2024

by Nick Powell

NEWARK, N.J. – The Seton Hall Pirates’ (5-8) comeback attempt came up just short on Saturday afternoon, as they fell to the Georgetown Hoyas (10-2), 61-60, in a thrilling BIG EAST matchup. Seton Hall has now lost four straight games.

The Pirates struggled early, starting the game slowly and falling behind. Head coach Shaheen Holloway quickly shook things up, pulling four starters in the first half to spark his team. Georgetown capitalized on Seton Hall’s early miscues to build an early lead.

A standout for the Pirates in the first half was Isaiah Coleman, who helped keep Seton Hall within striking distance. Known for his versatility, Coleman contributed several timely jump shots to keep the deficit manageable.

On the other side of the ball, Georgetown freshman center Thomas Sorber set the tone early. Sorber’s physicality in the paint gave the Pirates trouble, as the 6-foot-9 big man muscled his way to easy baskets and grabbed key rebounds. Head coach Ed Cooley, in his first year at Georgetown, has emphasized physicality throughout the season, and Sorber embodied that mindset on the floor. His tough play under the basket helped the Hoyas maintain their lead throughout the first half.

Despite a slow start, Seton Hall adjusted as the game progressed, and the Pirates gradually found their rhythm. Coleman took control in the second half, finishing with a season-high 25 points and adding nine rebounds. His relentless effort on the offensive glass, combined with improved ball movement, created much-needed second-chance opportunities. The ball moved more efficiently around the floor, leading to better offensive execution and a noticeable shift in momentum.

Seton Hall’s defense stepped up in the second half as the Pirates applied full-court pressure that rattled Georgetown’s offense. The press forced several turnovers and created fast-break opportunities, which Seton Hall capitalized on to steadily chip away at the Hoyas’ lead.

The real excitement came in the final minutes as Seton Hall mounted a 10-0 run to close the gap to just one point, putting the Pirates within striking distance of an upset. With seconds left on the clock, Seton Hall had a chance to win, but Georgetown held firm on defense.

While Seton Hall’s rally fell short, there were several bright spots. Coleman’s performance was the highlight of the game, as his offensive effort kept Seton Hall in contention. Improved ball movement and aggressive defense in the second half also provided the Pirates with a much-needed spark.

Coach Holloway will have his team focus on the positives from this performance as they prepare for their next challenge. Seton Hall will look to bounce back when it travels to face Xavier in another BIG EAST showdown.

Seton Hall and Xavier will tip-off at 2 p.m. on Dec. 31 at 2 p.m. Patrick Corsello and CJ Weipz will have the call, with pregame coverage beginning at 1:30 p.m. on WSOU 89.5 FM.

Nick Powell can be reached at nickolas.powell@student.shu.edu. 

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