Pirates Comeback Attempt Falls Short Against Xavier

Published: Sunday, February 23, 2025

by Kyle Ferreira

NEWARK, N.J. – The Seton Hall Pirates (7-20, 2-14) fell short Sunday afternoon as the Xavier Musketeers (18-10, 10-7) escaped Prudential Center with a 73-66 win.

Following a tough loss in Milwaukee against No. 16 Marquette last Tuesday, the Pirates faced another challenge against a hopeful Xavier squad. The Musketeers, entering the game on a three-game winning streak, knew they could not afford to underestimate Seton Hall. With Xavier on the NCAA Tournament bubble, the Pirates aimed to disrupt their chances.

In front of a great crowd at The Rock, the Pirates used their early energy to take a 10-6 lead at the first media timeout. Isaiah Coleman, as in many games before, was the driving force for the Pirates. With 24 points and key plays throughout, Coleman was determined to lead his team to victory.

By the numbers, Coleman had an impressive second half, scoring 16 points on 5-for-8 shooting from the field. Head coach Shaheen Holloway reflected on his performance in the postgame press conference.

"Offensively, I thought he was aggressive in the second half," Holloway said.

However, as the first half progressed, the Musketeers adjusted and started to dictate the game in their favor. An impressive 17-2 run by Xavier over nearly seven minutes helped put them up big by halftime, 40-21.

Xavier’s Ryan Conwell was arguably the best shooter on the court in the first half, hitting three 3-pointers. Conwell finished with 22 points, including a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line.

Xavier also capitalized on Pirate turnovers, scoring 12 points off Seton Hall’s mistakes in the first half.

After a disappointing first half, the Pirates adjusted their game plan, which proved beneficial. With a full-court press, Seton Hall forced Xavier into tough decisions and numerous giveaways. The Musketeers committed 11 second-half turnovers, putting the Pirates in position to win.

As the second half neared its end, Seton Hall looked poised to earn its third BIG EAST win. Fueled by a late 12-1 run, the Pirates trailed by three with 1:13 remaining. However, with 17 fouls called on Seton Hall in the second half—25 for the game—Xavier capitalized on its opportunities.

Seton Hall’s final possessions ended in disappointment, and the Musketeers would ultimately survive. For head coach Sean Miller and Xavier, their hopes of returning to the NCAA Tournament after missing last season remain intact.

As for Seton Hall, its second-half performance showcased resilience. Dylan Addae-Wusu highlighted that postgame, but the team's start needs improvement.

"Our energy was different in the second half. We have to bring it from the jump," Addae-Wusu said.

With only four games remaining before the BIG EAST Tournament, Holloway emphasized a key message to his team:

“Just play, just give yourself a chance...I’m not asking for a lot; just defend and play hard.”

The Pirates will be back home Wednesday night to face Villanova. Pregame coverage begins at 8 p.m., with tipoff set for 8:30 p.m. Michael Federico and CJ Weipz will be on the call.

Kyle Ferreira can be reached at kyle.ferreira@student.shu.edu. 

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