NEWARK, N.J. – The string continues. Seton Hall fell to 2-12 in Big East play. Marquette broke open the game with a resounding second half en route to a 67-46 victory over the Pirates Tuesday at the Prudential Center. The main points of emphasis:
1. The First four. Tied at 27 at halftime, Marquette utilized the opening four minutes to force turnovers on three of the Hall’s seven possessions. On the offensive end the Golden Eagles found the range, and at the 16 minute mark owned a 40-33 lead. It was a lead they would not surrender, only build on.
2. It has been a rough go in South Orange. Pirate coach Kevin Willard will make no excuse over the injuries that have decimated his program. Still, the absence of key players has taken its toll. “I know Kevin Willard is a very good basketball coach,” praised Marquette mentor Buzz Williams. “But I don’t know of any coach who would be able to handle what he has gone through. All those injuries have really had an impact.”
On Tuesday Haralds Karlis, a sophomore guard listed at 6-5, played his second straight game at power forward. “He (Karlis) worked hard (two points, five boards and two steals against Marquette) and gave a good effort,” Willard said. “But you are asking him to play the four spot in consecutive games against Syracuse and Marquette. That’s a lot to ask.”
3. Devonte Gardner does not start and that’s fine. “Devonte (Gardner) does not deserve to start,” Williams said. “That’s because Chris Otule is the hardest working practice player I have ever coached.”
Not that Williams is unhappy with Gardner, the team’s second-leading scorer. It is a situation allowing the 6-8 junior to come off the bench and not only assert himself but open scoring opportunities for teammates such as Vander Blue. For the evening Gardner logged 25 minutes, scored 18 points and grabbed five rebounds. Just another solid night. In relief.
4. Effort. Williams talked of games past Valentine’s Day to be won on intensity and fight. The Golden Eagles certainly had those qualities, especially the second half that saw a 25-1 run. For the game Marquette owned the boards with a 43-24 advantage. In offensive rebounding percentage, the margin was 42-17 percent in their overwhelming favor. After a 10-turnover first half, Marquette committed only three the second half. Chalk up care of the ball as another significant quality successful teams need. That’s especially true after February 14th has come and gone.
5. Numbers. The Hall is 13-14 overall. Marquette improved to 19-6, 10-3 in conference. Marquette’s Blue led all scorers with 19 points. Gardner was right behind with 18. The Hall was led by Fuquan Edwin with 14 points. Aaron Cosby added 12, but the pair combined for 8 of 26 (31 percent) shooting. The Pirates, basically trying to subsist on the perimeter, shot 15 of 51 (29 percent) for the contest. The loss was eighth straight for Seton Hall, with the last victory coming a month ago over South Florida.
Pirate coach Kevin Willard hopes to improve and close out the last five games on a positive note. “We want to share the ball as we did earlier when we led the conference in assists,” Willard said. “We also want to cut down on our turnovers these next few games.”
