Seton Hall surges after halftime to down Xavier

Field Level Media|published: Wed 28th January, 21:51 2026

Jan 28, 2026; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Seton Hall Pirates guard A.J. Staton-McCray (14) blocks a shot by by Xavier Musketeers guard Isaiah Walker (7) during the first half at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Tajuan Simpkins scored 20 of his career-high-tying 27 points after halftime, and Seton Hall opened the second half with a 14-0 run to flip the script and bury visiting Xavier 86-68 on Wednesday in Newark, N.J.

Simpkins made all five of Seton Hall's 3-pointers as the Pirates shrugged off their 31.6% shooting in the first half with a 56.3% performance in the second.

Adam "Budd" Clark added a season-high 24 points with seven rebounds, four assists and four steals for Seton Hall (15-6, 5-5 Big East), which ended a four-game losing streak.

Tre Carroll scored 22 points in the first half but was held scoreless in the second half for Xavier (11-10, 3-7), which has lost six of eight. Carroll added five rebounds and lost six turnovers.

Jovan Milicevic scored 16 points and Isaiah Walker had 13 for the Musketeers, who shot a sizzling 56.7% before halftime and just 33.3% after. They lost 19 turnovers that Seton Hall converted into 24 points.

To open the second half, Simpkins got to the rim for a pair of baskets while the Pirates applied their full-court press after every made shot. They caused four turnovers during the 14-0 run. Simpkins' corner 3-pointer put Seton Hall ahead 42-41, and he added two free throws before Walker ended the run with a game-tying three at the 15:32 mark.

But the Pirates weren't done. They scored the next nine points, making it a 23-3 start to the second half.

The Pirates led 74-63 following Simpkins' fifth triple with 5:03 to play. Walker got a quick five points for Xavier, including a fastbreak 3-pointer, but Clark went iso to get a baseline jumper for an eight-point lead with 3:07 left.

Xavier did not score again, going 0-for-6 in the final 4:11. Seton Hall ended the game on a 12-0 surge.

Carroll knocked down his first five shot attempts, including nine points in a row, to establish a 20-7 Xavier lead. Seton Hall managed to claw within seven but Roddie Anderson III swung momentum back the visitors' way with a steal and one-handed dunk, plus the foul.

Twice, the Pirates strung together a few good plays, and twice, Carroll quashed those runs with a dagger three. The latter put Xavier ahead 41-30 at intermission.

--Field Level Media

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