Seton Hall flattens Xavier

Seton Hall hit a 15-0 run at the end of the first half against Xavier and never looked back.

The Pirates celebrated an 85-68 victory over the Musketeers in which they used a terrific defensive performance to power them to a W. The Hall held their adversaries to 43.1 percent from the floor and 20.8 percent from the perimeter.

It was a very, very strong showing and an optimism-inducing one as well. Seton Hall teeter-tottered a bit recently, but have won their last two in a row, three of the last four and six of the last seven dating back to December 6.

Seton Hall was led offensively by six players in double figures. Sandro Mamukelashvili starred with 18 points, while Jared Rhoden dropped 14. Bryce Aiken came off the bench with 11, while Myles Cale, Takal Molson and Tyrese Samuel each chipped in 10. The Pirates weren’t robust from outside, but did cut Xavier u inside, shooting 65.8 percent on 2-point attempts.

Zach Freemantle scored a game-high 20 points and finished a rebound shy of a double-double in the loss. Jason Carter scored 12 points, which Ben Stanley matched off the bench. No other Musketeer scored more than six points though, feeling the effects of the stranglehold that Seton Hall had on them.

Currently, the Pirates are scheduled to face Butler on Saturday. Xavier, meanwhile, is slate to play next Wednesday against St. John’s.