Pirates Come Up Short Against Friars

Published: Wednesday, January 29, 2025

by CJ Weipz

NEWARK, N.J. – The Seton Hall men's basketball team (6-15, 1-9) fell short 69-67 to the Providence Friars (11-10, 5-5) at home Tuesday night. It marked the Pirates' fifth one-possession loss this season.

Coach Shaheen Holloway described the toll the loss took on the players. “The locker room is a mess right now,” Holloway said after the game. “Guys are super down, crying. It’s supposed to hurt.” 

The Pirates erased a 15-point second-half deficit to take a late lead but ultimately fell short after clutch 3-point baskets by Jabri Abdur-Rahim in his return to the Garden State. Providence held on following a late-game free-throw contest, with both teams combining for 53 attempts.

Isaiah Coleman was held to two points in his return to the starting lineup after missing the team’s trip to Omaha with back issues. He went 0-for-10 from the field but made 2 of 4 free throws, including a potential game-tying attempt with three seconds remaining.

"I'm sure [his back issues] affected his performance," Coach Holloway said of the star sophomore's status.

Kim English and his team struggled early in the first half, shooting 1-for-10 from the field midway through the period but found their rhythm heading into halftime. Jayden Pierre scored 10 points in the first 20 minutes, including two 3-pointers.

The Friars' lead ballooned to 15 in the second half before the Pirates amped up the pressure. The full-court Holloway press forced 10 second-half turnovers by Providence, resulting in 27 points off turnovers for the Pirates. Momentum began to shift until Abdur-Rahim silenced the raucous Newark crowd with a 3-pointer.

In the final minutes, Prince Aligbe dominated the post, converting three and-one opportunities down the stretch. The Boston College transfer tied his career high with 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting and four rebounds.

Providence coach Kim English was not pleased with the officiating late, commenting on Aligbe’s multiple three-point play opportunities. However, as the saying goes, the ball doesn’t lie, and Providence escaped New Jersey with the season series in hand.

Seton Hall will be back in action Sunday to take on DePaul in Chicago. The Pirates look to sweep the Blue Demons after defeating them in overtime at the Rock earlier this season. Coverage begins at 5:30 p.m. on 89.5 FM WSOU.

CJ Weipz is an Assistant Sports Director for WSOU 89.5 FM and can be reached at christopher.weipz@student.shu.edu. 

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