Prudential Center-Seton Hall has won ten games straight, the longest in the Big East and tied for the sixth-longest in the nation behind San Diego State (21), Baylor (16), Gonzaga (13), Winthrop (10), and Florida State (10).
The Hall’s ten-game winning streak is the longest streak of the Kevin Willard Era.
The Hall’s best 20-game start in program history is the 20-0 start that the 1952-3 team authored en route to a season-opening 27-0.
Seton Hall was led by Myles Powell 25 points and 5 boards to help the Pirates beat DePaul 64-57 in front of 9,302 at the Prudential Center.
“This was probably one of the roughest games I have had in a while,” Powell said after the game. “If it wasn’t for my teammates and coaching staff picking me up and not letting me hang my head, I don’t think I would have finished the way I did. I owe it all to them.”
At the 7:27 mark, the Hall had 23-17 lead taking advantage of some open looks on the perimeter. Myles Powell and Quincy McKnight had 6 and 5 points respectively.
Sloppy play and not being able to hit shots for more than four minutes helped DePaul to get back into the game and take a 29-28 lead into the break.
The Blue Demons shot a horrendous 34.6% (9-26) from the floor and 25% (1-4) from beyond the arc but manage to push the tempo which enabled them to get some quick baskets.
In the second half DePaul opened up with an 8-0 run to go up 39-30 with 16:07 left on the clock but the Hall would close the gap and get it to a three-point game 41-38 with 12:09 left in the contest.
Jared Rhoden added 14 points and 11 rebounds as the Pirates (16-4, 8-0 Big East) held off DePaul’s runs in the second half.
Powell, who was 7 of 21 from the field, and Rhoden were the difference late in the game, combining for 27 points after halftime. Powell found solace on the foul line, scoring 11 straight points to help Seton Hall take a 60-53 lead.
The Pirates almost blew the game, hitting only 14 of 29 free throws from the charity stripe.
The winning streak is the longest for Seton Hall since taking 12 straight late in the 1992-93 season. The 8-0 start in the conference is the Pirates’ best.
“He was struggling,” Willard said of Powell. “Every once in a while, you don’t have your A-game and I just wanted him to keep attacking. Sometimes the building is loud, so you just have to yell.”
DePaul never got closer than five points the rest of the game. The Blue Demons shot 33% from the field for the game.
Charlie Moore led the Blue Demons with 14 points, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds.
Up Next:
No. 10 Seton Hall will return to action on Saturday, Feb. 1, when it hosts Xavier at Prudential Center on Star Wars Day.
