FRIARS IMPROVE TO 5-2 IN BIG EAST, KEEP SHU WINLESS

January 23, 2009

The losses continue to pile up for Seton Hall as they let a very winnable game against Providence virtually slip through their fingers in the last possession of regulation as the Friars escape Newark (NJ) with a 98-93 overtime victory.

In what seemed like a game of Survivor, the Friars Outlast and Outwit SHU by attacking the basket and causing three Pirates to be DQ'd because of fouls (Paul Gause, Robert Mitchell and John Garcia), eliminating nearly any chance SHU had in the extra session.

With both teams settling for perimter jumpers in the first half, PC went to the foul line six times compared to five for SHU. Late in the game and in overtime, PC went to attacking the basket and finished 31-42 from the foul line, including 14 (all their points) of 16 in overtime. The Pirates were just 12-22 from the line, including several misses in the final minutes of regulation as Seton Hall Losses to Providence (Star Ledger).

PC have been stung by many close losses in the Big East the last few years, maybe now the Friars are Learning to Assert Themselves in the Big East (Providence Journal. At 5-2 in Big East play, So Far, So Good, but Schedule Gets Tough for PC (Providence Journal) with Syracuse, Connecticut, Villanova and West Virginia representing an upcoming gauntlet.

Jeff Xaiver led PC with 20 points, including five of seven three's. Weyinmi Efejuku added 19 points, Marshon Brooks added 14, Jonathan Kale had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds and Sharaud Curry added 13 points in PC's balanced attack. Geoff McDermott (9 points) connected on the final of two free throws with 10 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 84.

Seton Hall had a chance to win in regulation after McDermott's free throw, but Eugene Harvey (11 points, 7 assists) was stripped of the ball and SHU did not get a shot, or a pass, off in the final posession. It was a strange play, as Harvey casually brough the ball up the court as the other Pirates watched. SHU looked totally unprepared for a game-end situation, and they had a timeout remaining...

Jeremy Hazell scored 30 for the Pirates and hit three's in bunches to help SHU rally from deficits of 14 (ist half) and 8 (second half) quickly. Robert Mitchell had 20, but was just 10-24 from the floor before fouling out. Paul Gause was excellent with 19 points (6-7 from field and 5-6 from '3') as well as 6 rebounds and 6 assists.

Notes:

-Seton Hall is 0-6 in the Big East. Worst start in conference play since 0-7 in 1985-1986. They hope to avoid that fate with a home date against ranked Georgetown on Saturday.

-NJIT has more wins in 2009 than SHU and Rutgers, the state of New Jersey reps of the Big East, combined. The Pirates and Knights are both 0-6 in league play.

-PC held a 41-30 rebounding edge and connected on 11-20 three's.