Game Recap: Seton Hall 82, Monmouth 66

The Seton Hall Pirates soundly defeated Monmouth University, 82-66, on Monday night behind a breakout performance from Patrik Auda.

In just 22 minutes, the junior dropped 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while missing only one of his nine field goal attempts. He also added two steals and two blocks.

As Mike Vorkunov of the Star Ledger points out, Auda’s performance was indicative of the extensive rehab and hard work he put in over the course of the offseason to heal the broken foot he suffered last season.

"I think Patrik played terrific," Kevin Willard said, according to the Ledger. "I think he's played terrific. Him being aggressive – 22 minutes to score 27 points and grab 10 rebounds – I though he played great. This is, again, what I envisioned for him as he came off a sophomore to a junior."

Senior Fuquan Edwin hit just one of his six attempts from the field for three points while redshirt sophomore Sterling Gibbs contributed 16 points (4-5 FG, 2-2 3PT). Junior swingman Stephane Magna had his best game of the season, going for 14 points and six rebounds.

Monmouth was led by star junior Deon Jones, who contributed 24 points, including three triples and seven rebounds. Junior guard Andrew Nicholas, who totaled 11 points, was the only other Hawk to reach double digits.

As a team, Seton Hall shot over 50 percent from the field and hit close to 44 percent of their attempts beyond the arc. The Pirates also out-rebounded the Hawks, who entered the game as the ninth-best rebounding team in the nation, 37-28.

The win brings the Pirates to 3-1 on the young season, with tough games against FDU, LIU Brooklyn and Rutgers looming after Seton Hall takes on Oklahoma and either Michigan State or Virginia Tech at the Barclays Center.

Willard and the Pirates will have their hands full on Friday as SHU is set to take on the Sooners as part of the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic in Brooklyn.