NEWARK, N.J. – Seton Hall continued its hot start by winning their fifth game in six tries, defeating St. Peter’s 76-61 at the Prudential Center on Sunday. St. Peter’s, who started off with a three-game win streak, featured by a win at Rutgers, dropped a second straight to fall to 3-2. The numbers of note:
Possessions:
St.Peter’s 61
Seton Hall 66
The Hall got out in transition the second half but for the most part, St. Peter’s did a good job dictating tempo.
Offensive Efficiency:
St. Peter’s 100
Seton Hall 115
Hall was led by Fuquan Edwin with a game-high 25 points and Eugene Teague with 20 points. St. Peter’s was paced by Darius Conley and Blaise Ffrench with 14 points each. Ffrench did a nice job penetrating and had the dubious distinction of game highs in assists (9) and turnovers (5).
The 15 point margin was a bit misleading. There were five ties and nine lead changes, and John Dunne’s visitors led at the half 30-29 and the score was knotted at 38 with 16 minutes to play. From that point on, it was virtually all Seton Hall.
Numbers bear out the good play of the Seton Hall offense as they enjoyed a 59% eFG mark while moving the ball to the tune of having 63% of the field goals assisted.
Perception. Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard was not pleased with the Pirate defense the second half. The following table breaks down St.Peter’s points scored and offensive efficiency each half:
| Points | Offensive Efficiency | |
| First Half | 30 | 100 |
| Second Half | 31 | 100 |
Giving up a 100 efficiency on defense is a bit above average. Willard was probably concerned with perimeter defense as St. Peter’s shot 5 of 11 (46%) from three the second half.
Praise in reserve. The Seton Hall coach took time to compliment two players off the bench. Kyle Smyth, a graduate student at guard, started with Willard at Iona before transferring to the Hall. “(Smyth) is poised out there because he’s like 37 years old,” Willard said jokingly. “Actually he plays the two but has the knowledge to play like a point guard. He understands what he can and cannot do as a player and can really figure out what is going on out there.” A good outside shooter, Smyth scored eight points, including two treys in relief.
Kevin Johnson scored 2 points and blocked a shot in three minutes. As his conditioning improves, Willard hopes the 6-9 240-pound freshman center can contribute, especially in the physical rigors of Big East play. “Kevin (Johnson) was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes,” Willard said. “That is something for a young kid to have to handle. He’s now adjusting to diet, his practice regiment and school work. No more staying up to 4 a.m. playing XBOX.” Willard added, as Johnson, settles more into his routine, conditioning and playing time should increase significantly. “He has just had so much thrown at him,” Willard added, “in such a short time.”
