Seton Hall Cruises to Season-Opening Victory Versus Saint Peter's

Published: Monday, November 3, 2025

by Ryan Nelke

NEWARK, N.J. - The Seton Hall Pirates (1-0) cruised to a 77-50 victory in their season-opener against the Saint Peter’s Peacocks (0-1), with true freshman forward Najai Hines putting on a show for the home crowd.

From the jump, Coach Shaheen Holloway and Seton Hall elected to go with a full-court press, giving Saint Peter’s early trouble offensively.  This allowed the Pirates to take an early lead, which they did not relinquish the rest of the way.

The story of the game though was the freshman sensation and number one recruit out of New Jersey, Najai Hines.  While Hines did not get the starting nod, he made his presence known instantly.  

Hines got the crowd on its feet early and often, as within his first five minutes, he delivered four highlight reel blocks, denying the Peacocks on numerous occasions.  The freshman then began chipping in offensively, and by the end of the first half, he led the Pirates in scoring with 10.

The rest of the Seton Hall starting lineup delivered solid opening frames, as the Merrimack transfer, Budd Clark, drained both of his three-point attempts, while A.J. Staton-McCray and Mike Williams III posted two steals each.

When the scoreboard read triple zeroes, Seton Hall took a 41-28 lead over Saint Peter’s into the break.

Following a solid first half, another Seton Hall big man made his presence known with Stephon Payne III connecting on two early buckets.  This early momentum continued through the rest of the half, as the Seton Hall lead swelled to 33, and this wide margin could be attributed to the Pirates connecting at a 51.4% clip from the field.

Hines’ debut game certainly did not disappoint, as he dazzled with 12 points, 9 rebounds, and not one, not two, but six statement blocks.

When asked about his shot-blocking ability which was on display in this contest, Hines viewed it as a skill that should be expected out of him.

“It’s something usual,” Hines said.  “It’s something I should be doing.”

Seton Hall played well on both ends of the floor, as they shot just under 46.7% from the field, while stifling the Peacocks to a measly 27.5%.  Three Pirates tallied double digits in this contest, with Hines, Payne, and Simpkins achieving this mark. 

Outside Assane Mbaye and David Gabriel who played the final minute and fifty seconds, every Pirate who touched the floor made a dent in the scoreboard, with each scoring at least four points.

Seton Hall will now continue their homestand, but back on campus as their next two home games will be played inside Walsh Gymnasium.  First up will be the Wagner Seahawks, as Seton Hall will look to begin a winning streak to start the year.  Tipoff will be at 7:30 p.m., with Ryder Nuesell and Jacob Glick on the call.

Ryan Nelke is an Assistant Sports Director and can be reached at nelkerya@shu.edu.

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