Davis lifts Pirates to massive road win at Providence

Seton Hall University, Basketball, College

March 6, 2023

Seton Hall University's men's basketball team closed out their regular season with a statement 82-58 victory at Providence. The Pirates were able to do something that not many teams in the Big East could, which is beat the Friars on their home court.

Seton Hall handed Providence just their second home loss of the season. This was the Friars' worst home loss since March of 2004 and Seton Hall's largest road win since defeating Rutgers 84-55, in Dec. 2015.

The Pirates played their best game of the season because of their balanced scoring attack. Four pirates scored in double figures, including Femi Odukale, who continued his strong play in the absence of Kadary Richmond, with nineteen points. KC Ndefo provided a spark for the Pirates down low with fifteen points. Al-Amir Dawes, who is the Pirates most consistent three-point shooter, scored eleven points with three made three-point field goals. The Pirates biggest spark came off of the bench.

'Sixth man' Dre Davis played his best game of his Seton Hall career, coming off the bench to score twenty-four points. Davis was sensational from the floor, making nine-of-ten field goals and shooting four-of-four from behind the three-point line. The Junior continues to be a catalyst for the Seton Hall offense, as a player who can score from anywhere on the floor and has been sensational since returning from injury against Xavier.

In what was the most complete game for Seton Hall all season, the Pirates dominated from start to finish. They went into the locker room up nineteen points and would finish the game emptying their bench, as they led by nearly thirty points.

In what was the Pirates most crisp game of the season on both ends of the floor, they held an edge over Providence in every major statistical category. Seton Hall shot over 62% from the field and over 55% from behind the three-point line. The Pirates who were undersized, were the more physical team edging out Providence on the boards with thirty-two rebounds, compared to the twenty-six for the Friars. The turnover margin for both teams was equal, but the Pirates had five more assists and six more made three-point field goals than the Friars.

Defensively, Seton Hall was great as well because they held Providence to 17 percent from behind the three-point line and 40 percent from the field. Seton Hall held Providence first team all-Big East performer, Bryce Hopkins to four points.

Next up for Seton Hall is the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden. The seventh-seed Pirates will play tenth-seed DePaul at 5:30 pm Wednesday evening.

On the Seton Hall radio post-game show with Gary Cohen and Dave Popkin, Seton Hall head coach Shaheen Holloway said, “It’s March, this is the time you want to be playing your best.” Seton Hall will certainly be entering Madison Square Garden coming off of their best performance of the season. Will it translate to an extended week in New York City? We will find out Wednesday night.