Seton Hall University
UMKC
MBB Slams UMKC In Opener, 75-36
11/10/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - The Seton Hall men's basketball team used its suffocating defense to limit UMKC to just 36 points as the Pirates opened the 2012-13 season with a 75-36 victory in the first game of the 2012 Hall of Fame Tip-Off in Walsh Gym on Friday.
The Pirates smothering defense limited the 'Roos to just 31.3% shooting from the floor for the game and 14 second half points. No UMKC player scored in double-figures.
Offensively, Seton Hall used a balanced attack to dismantle UMKC. Four Pirates scored in double-figures, while sophomore Brandon Mobley (Savannah, Ga.) notched his first career double-double with 10 points and a game-high 10 rebounds in only 22 minutes.
Junior Fuquan Edwin (Paterson, N.J.) led all scorers with 16 points on the strength of 4-for-6 shooting from behind the three-point arc. Junior Eugene Teague (Vineland, N.J.) added 14 points and seven rebounds in his Seton Hall debut, while Brian Oliver (Glassboro, N.J.) added 13 points, five rebounds and three steals in an all-around strong effort.
Freshman Tom Maayan (Galil, Israel) ran the point for Seton Hall and tallied game-highs of six assists and five steals.
Kyle Smyth (River Edge, N.J.) drained a three-pointer early in the first half to break a 6-6 tie and give Seton Hall a lead they never relinquished.
With the Pirates leading 13-11, they went on a 14-2 run to take a commanding 27-13 lead with 6:27 remaining in the first half.
In the second half, the Pirates turned up their defensive effort. UMKC shot only 28.6% from the field in the second half. Seton Hall charged out of the halftime break with a 17-2 run to jump out to an insurmountable 51-24 lead, and the rout was on.
The victory is the 12th in the last 14 season-opening games for Seton Hall.
Seton Hall (1-0) will face Norfolk State on Monday, Nov. 12 for its first game at the Prudential Center this season. The Spartans defeated Rhode Island on Friday, also a part of the 2012 Hall of Fame Tip-Off, 67-55. Tickets are available by calling 973-275-HALL.
