Seton Hall University
Rutgers
Seton Hall Knocks Off Rutgers
12/9/2013 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 9, 2013
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The 65th installment of Seton Hall-Rutgers men's basketball rivalry lived up to the hype once again with the two programs meeting as non-conference foes for the first time since 1991. For the 18th time in the last 20 meetings the New Jersey college basketball rivalry was decided by six points or less or in overtime. It was Seton Hall (6-3) that came out on top Sunday night at the RAC before a national audience on ESPNU taking a 77-71 victory.
Sterling Gibbs (Scotch Plains, N.J.) poured in a game-high 27 points, while Eugene Teague (Vineland, N.J.) exploded for 16 points, 16 rebounds, five steals and four assists in the Pirates' triumph. The win snapped Seton Hall's three game skid to the Scarlet Knights, and it marked the third win at Rutgers during the Kevin Willard coaching era at Seton Hall.
Four Pirates in total scored double-figures, including 11 points apiece from senior guard Brian Oliver (Glassboro, N.J.) and junior forward Brandon Mobley (Savannah, Ga.). Coming off a 12 three-point field goal effort in Thursday's 91-82 victory over LIU-Brooklyn, the Pirates sank nine more threes against Rutgers (4-6) shooting 43% beyond the arc. Mobley, Gibbs and Oliver each finished with three apiece.
Gibbs set the tone early hitting his first three field goals for eight of the Pirates' first 15 points, propelling The Hall to a lead it held for the majority of half. The Pirates opened their largest advantage of the half when Oliver buried his second three pointer in his first three attempts at the 11:12 mark to send SHU up 20-13. He picked up where he left off in Thursday's season-high 26 point performance, which featured eight three-pointers against LIU-Brooklyn.
Seton Hall trailed for less than two minutes in the opening half, thanks to Gibbs' 15 points shooting 5-for-6 from the field and 3-for-3 at the line. Gibbs closed the stanza as strong as he started it posting the final five points, a spurt which was capped by a three-pointer before time expired to send the Pirates into the break on top 37-33.
The Pirates build their lead to double-digits less than three minutes into the second half. Mobley and Gibbs hit back-to-back threes followed by two free-throws from Mobley to go up 47-37. Seton Hall took its largest lead of the night, 54-42, with Oliver's third three pointer at the 15:09 mark.
The Hall maintained control deep into the second half, leading by 11 with 2:47 remaining after Teague's two-handed slam created by an assist from Gibbs. Gibbs and Teague each handed out a game-high four assists.
Rutgers wouldn't go away quietly as the Scarlet Knights had a final surge left in the tank. Junior guard Jerome Seagears got a 10-point flurry in 66 seconds going with his second three of the night. Junior guard Myles Mack converted three free-throws after he was fouled on an attempt from long range. Then it was a layup and dunk by senior forward JJ Moore that made it a one point game with 1:23 remaining.
Gibbs answered down the stretch converting four straight free-throws to keep the Scarlet Knights at bay. His second trip to the line was created by a clutch offensive rebound from junior guard Haralds Karis (Riga, Latvia) with 28 seconds remaining. Karlis then came up with the steal on the ensuing possession to seal the victory.
Rutgers was led by Mack who scored 20 points shooting 7-for-15 from the field. Seagears added 18 and Moore had 13 off the bench.
Seton Hall shot 47.9% (23-48) from the field and knocked down 22-of-27 (81.5%) free-throws. Teague went for his second straight double-double and third of the season, setting career high in rebounds, assists and steals. He was named the Most Valuable Player earning the annual Joe Calabrese Award.
The Pirates complete their tedious three games in six day stretch Tuesday when they host NJIT at the Prudential Center. Tip-off is slated for 9 p.m. on FOX Sports 1 and 970 AM WNYM.
