Pirates open BIG EAST Play with Statement Road Win over Providence

Published: Friday, December 19, 2025

by Darren Worrell

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Seton Hall Pirates (11-1, 1-0) started conference play on a high note, defeating the Providence Friars (7-6, 0-2) by a score of 72-67 at Amica Mutual Pavilion on Friday evening. The victory was fueled behind the tremendous play of Tajuan Simpkins, who finished with a season high of 22 points and Stephon Payne, who recorded a double-double.

The first half was a battle of runs. Seton Hall struck first with a three-pointer from Elijah Fisher, and the score was now 3-0. Fouls and turnovers kept the game close at 16-16, but Simpkins layup would spark a 9-4 run, pushing the Pirates ahead 27-20.

Providence would keep things competitive with the timely buckets and their multiple trips to the free throw line, but Seton Hall closed the half strong with scores from Elijah Fisher and Stephon Payne, leading 35-27 going into the break.

Tajuan Simpkins was the catalyst for the Pirates in the first half, scoring 14 points and converting all five of his shots at the free throw line.

The Pirates also did a good job at holding the Friars’ top two scorers, Jason Edwards and Jaylin Sellers, to just five combined points in the first half.

The second half was a different change of events as the fouls started to add up for both teams and there was a much slower pace to the game. Straight out of the gates, the Pirates would record a foul sending Edwards to the line for three free throws and he would convert on all of them, cutting the Pirates’ lead, 35-31.

Seton Hall responded with a 5-0 run off the three pointer from Fisher and the layup by Payne, and this forced a Providence timeout.

Providence came out with a different sense of urgency going on a 13 –5 run, and they found themselves up 46-45 off a big time three pointer from Vaaks.

The game would go back and forth and become a game of who can make their free throws, as both teams got their fair chances at the line.

Jaylin Sellers would get to the line and convert to give the Friars the lead at 67-66, but then after a brief timeout Clark would find a wide-open Simpkins who would hit the clutch three, and the Pirates found themselves up 69-67.

With the clock ticking down at 17 seconds, Clark would hit the turnaround jumper to put the nail in the coffin, and that was all she wrote.

The Pirates walked away with their first conference win. Simpkins finished with 22 points on an efficient six of nine from the field and eight of nine from the charity stripe. Payne would finish with a double-double, including 18 points and 16 boards.

With this win, the Pirates now turn their attention to their BIG EAST  home opener against the Villanova Wildcats, on Tuesday December 23 at 7:00 P.M. where Joe Morales and Chris Heite will have the call.

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

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