NEWARK, N.J. (Interstat) — Seton Hall overcame a poor shooting performance with a strong second half to edge Georgetown 51-47 in a Big East men’s basketball game Saturday at Prudential Center. The Pirates, who missed all 18 of their 3-point attempts, outscored the Hoyas 31-20 after halftime. Georgetown led 27-20 at intermission but shot just 27.3% from the field for the game. Seton Hall’s Najai Hines scored 12 points and blocked five shots. Malik Mack led Georgetown with nine points. The Hoyas fell to 13-14 overall. Seton Hall improved to 19-9. Attendance was 9,055.

NEWARK, N.J. (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined more by missed shots than makes, Seton Hall rallied from a seven-point halftime deficit to edge Georgetown 51-47 in a Big East Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Prudential Center. The game, witnessed by 9,055 fans, was a stark contrast in halves. Georgetown controlled the opening period, taking a 27-20 lead into the break behind early three-pointers from KJ Lewis and Kayvaun Mulready. The Hoyas’ defense held Seton Hall to a frigid 0-for-18 performance from beyond the arc for the entire game. But the second half belonged to the Pirates, who flipped the script with relentless interior defense and an attacking offensive mindset. Seton Hall outscored Georgetown 31-20 after halftime, finally seizing the lead for good midway through the period and clamping down to secure the victory. The most important part of the game was Seton Hall’s overwhelming defensive presence in the paint, spearheaded by sophomore center Najai Hines. The 6-foot-10 Plainfield, New Jersey, native altered the game without needing to score heavily, finishing with 12 points, five blocks and several more deterred shots in 24 minutes. His rim protection was pivotal as Georgetown managed only 20 points in the paint and shot a dismal 27.3% from the field overall. Georgetown’s offensive woes were comprehensive. The Hoyas shot 15 of 55 from the floor and 4 of 23 from three-point range. They also struggled at the free-throw line, making only 13 of 23 attempts. Despite winning the offensive rebounding battle 14-16, they could not convert second chances efficiently. Seton Hall was scarcely better offensively, shooting 30.9% from the field. However, the Pirates dominated inside, scoring 32 points in the paint and earning 26 free-throw attempts, making 17. They also capitalized on Georgetown’s mistakes, scoring 14 points off 13 Hoya turnovers. Georgetown guard Malik Mack led the Hoyas with nine points, while Lewis added 10. Caleb Williams contributed seven points and four assists. For Seton Hall, Hines’ all-around effort was complemented by eight points from Josh Rivera and six points apiece from Adam Clark and Mike Williams. The win improved Seton Hall’s record to 19-9 overall and provided a crucial conference victory as they pursue postseason positioning. Georgetown fell to 13-14, dropping its third straight game in a season that has been marked by narrow defeats. The game’s tempo was grinding, with Georgetown using 65 possessions and Seton Hall 63, resulting in offensive ratings of 72.4 and 80.5, respectively, numbers far below typical collegiate efficiency. The combined 33 assists on 32 made field goals underscored a game dominated by defensive pressure and offensive stagnation. Seton Hall now looks ahead to a key road test at Connecticut next Saturday. Georgetown returns home to host Marquette on Tuesday, seeking to halt its skid.

NEWARK, N.J. (Interstat) — The Seton Hall Pirates, looking to solidify their NCAA tournament resume, will host the Georgetown Hoyas in a Big East Conference matchup on Saturday at Prudential Center. Seton Hall (18-9, 8-7 Big East) enters the contest seeking to rebound from a surprising 69-57 home loss to DePaul on Wednesday. The Pirates, led by dynamic guard Adam Clark, had won three of their previous four before the setback. Clark is averaging 19.6 points and 5.3 assists over his last seven games, including a 31-point, 8-assist performance in a win over Providence on Feb. 11. Georgetown (13-13, 7-8) arrives in Newark after a narrow 93-89 home loss to Butler on Wednesday, its third consecutive defeat. The Hoyas have struggled for consistency in conference play but have shown flashes, including a four-game winning streak in late January. Guard Caleb Williams, who scored 16 points in the loss to Butler, will be a key factor. His production has varied, with performances ranging from 2 to 16 points over the past month. The Pirates won the first meeting this season, 76-67, at Georgetown on Jan. 10. In that game, Seton Hall’s defense forced 15 Hoya turnovers. For Seton Hall, a win is crucial to maintain positioning in the upper half of the Big East standings. The Pirates’ remaining schedule includes road games at Connecticut and Xavier. Georgetown, hovering at .500, needs a signature road victory to build momentum for the final stretch, with home games against Marquette and Providence looming. Tip-off is scheduled for noon EST at Prudential Center. The game will be televised on Fox Sports 1.