Pirates Win Defensive Slugfest against Georgetown

Published: Saturday, February 21, 2026

by Ryder Nuesell

NEWARK, N.J. -- The Seton Hall Pirates (19-9, 9-8) downed the Georgetown Hoyas (13-14, 5-11) in a defensive battle with poor shooting from both sides on Saturday evening, where the final score was 51-47.

Three-point conversions were optional in the contest, as the Pirates finished their first game without a basket from beyond the arc since 2009, which was also against Georgetown. Seton Hall missed all eight of their three-point attempts, and shot just 31 percent from the field overall.

Both offenses were sluggish from the opening tip, as it took the Pirates four minutes to score their first points of the night. After both teams could not reach double digit scoring by the ten-minute mark of the first half, Seton Hall finally caught stride and took a 16-11 lead.

However, the Hoyas then erupted for a 16-1 run that spanned until the final minute of the half. The Pirates were able to halt the skid before the buzzer sounded due to a Stephon Payne free throw and a Tajuan Simpkins layup, but nonetheless, Georgetown carried a 27-20 lead into the break.

After shooting just 26 percent in the first half on 7-27 shooting, Seton Hall came back from halftime with an offensive spark.

Although they were only able to improve their shooting percentage to 31 percent in the second half, the Pirates continued to find ways to keep themselves in the game.

Both sides went shot for shot to start the second half, and it took all the way until the 5:57 mark for the Pirates to regain the lead for the first time since mid-first half. Once earning the 45-44 lead, Seton Hall never relinquished it, although it got quite close.

Minutes later, as the Pirates led by just a point, Najai Hines capped off a stellar performance with a slam to put Seton Hall up 49-46.

This score would hold nearly until the final buzzer, as a handful of free throws for both sides extended the final score to 51-47. Neither team converted a field goal in the final 4:22.

It was a strong night for the Pirates’ depth, as the bench outscored the starters over the course of the game. Josh Rivera and Hines highlighted the bench scoring, and Shaheen Holloway was later eager to note that he was impressed with Trey Parker’s late performance as well.

It was a quiet night for Pirates leading scorers Budd Clark and AJ Staton McCray. Clark shot just two of eight, finishing with six points and five turnovers while Staton McCray scored seven. After averaging 19.9 over his last seven games, Clark’s scoring proficiency was not required for the Pirates to walk away with the victory.

Seton Hall now has over a week of rest before they head to Storrs, Connecticut to face the #5 UConn Huskies. Join Ryan Nelke and Ryder Nuesell on Saturday, February 28 at 12:00 P.M. on 89.5 FM WSOU for all the action.

Ryder Nuesell can be reached at ryder.nuesell@student.shu.edu

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