Prudential Center—All last season Shaheen Holloway preached about starting games with energy and a sense of purpose. Tonight the Pirates started a little slow and sluggish but regrouped in the second half to get the W.
The Peacocks is 25-54 all-time versus Seton Hall and looking to turn their luck around tonight with the seven new faces, which includes six transfers that will hit the court.
Chaunce Jenkins scored a game high 19 points to lead the Seton Hall Pirates (1-0) in a 57-53 win over St. Peters’s (0-1) on Monday at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ in front of a announced crowd of 8,072.
In a tough physical battle, both teams showed signs of early-season rust, but the Pirates ultimately clinched a late win. Trailing 49-45, Seton Hall held Saint Peter’s without a basket for 6 minutes and 24 seconds, building a 56-51 lead with under two minutes to go. Saint Peter’s had an opportunity to tie the game, down by three with 18 seconds remaining, but couldn’t capitalize.
“First time I stepped on campus, I knew that he was special,” said roommate Yacine Toumi, who iced the outcome with a last-minute block. “Always in the gym, always working hard, always helping me. I’m from overseas and he really made me comfortable out here. He’s a really good player and he’s won a lot of games before.”
The Pirates won despite shooting just 31.8 percent from the hardwood. Freshman Bryce Eaton started for Saint Peter’s (0-1) and scored 12 points with six boards. Armoni Zeigler had eight points and 11 boards. Seton Hall was down 14-12 when Jenkins’ fast break layup started a 12-1 run. Jenkins and Addae-Wusu made 3-pointers to cap that stretch and David Tubek had five points to make it a 29-18 game with 4:21 left in the half.
The Pirates played tough and got a block down the stretch.
“Honestly this is the game I thought this would be. I told my team St. Peters is scrappy and tough. To tell you the truth, we didn’t match their energy in the first half but I will tell you this we will get better.” Seton Hall head coach Shaheen Holloway said.
UP NEXT:
Seton Hall will play on Saturday, November 9th when it hosts Fordhan in Walsh Gymnasium. Tip time is scheduled for 12:00 P.M.
St. Peters will play Friday, November 8th at UMass Lowell for 6:00 P.M.
