Seton Hall, Providence believe they can build on recent wins

Seton Hall coach Shaheen Holloway is confident that his team can string a few wins together as it heads into a meeting with host Providence on Saturday.

The Pirates (6-9, 1-3 Big East) had dropped five games in a row before beating DePaul 85-80 in overtime on Wednesday, a victory that has Holloway looking forward to what could come next.

"We needed this game (against the Blue Demons) for a lot of different reasons," Holloway said. "We haven't won in a minute, and hopefully winning is contagious like losing is contagious. So now you win this game, and the way we won it, I think it gives them confidence for us to move forward."

Dylan Addae-Wusu and Isaiah Coleman each had 24 points against DePaul, with Addae-Wusu adding seven assists and three steals.

Coleman is averaging 15.0 points and 5.1 rebounds per game this season, both team highs.

Like the Pirates, the Friars (8-8, 2-3) are just getting over a losing streak, as an 84-65 win over Butler on Wednesday marked the end of a four-game skid. Jayden Pierre and reserve Bensley Joseph racked up 18 points apiece for Providence, while Ryan Mela recorded a double-double (10 points, 15 rebounds).

Mela, a freshman, has anchored the Friars down low with leading scorer Bryce Hopkins (17.0 points per game) out due to a knee injury. Hopkins could end up having to redshirt this season for medical reasons after appearing in only three games.

Despite the injury to Hopkins, Pierre feels like the Friars are starting to hit their stride.

"I feel like our team is just coming together," Pierre said. "We had a couple of close games where we were just right there, and I feel like now we know what it looks like to put together a good 40-minute game and take that next step."

--Field Level Media