Rhoden, Obiagu Power Pirates Past Wagner, 78-45

Tuesday, December 8

Newark, N.J.

5 p.m.

Seton Hall University

3-3,0-0Big East

Wagner

0-1,0-0NEC

Wagner

Seton Hall

12/8/2020 7:17:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score BOX SCORE (PDF)

NEWARK, N.J. – Juniors Jared Rhoden (Baldwin, N.Y.) and Ike Obiagu (Abuja, Nigeria) combined for 42 points and 11 blocked shots as the Seton Hall men's basketball team held Wagner to 27.4 percent shooting in the game in a crisp 78-45 win over the Seahawks Tuesday at Prudential Center. The Pirates evened up their non-conference record at 3-3 with BIG EAST play starting Friday.

Rhoden registered his second double-double of the season with game-highs of 22 points and 11 rebounds. Obiagu chipped in a career-high 20 points and was 12-for-15 from the free-throw line. The Pirates center also matched his career-high with eight blocks, which also ties Seton Hall's Prudential Center record, originally set by Romaro Gill last season.

Seton Hall's defense limited Wagner to 17-for-62 from the field and ended the first half shutting out the Seahawks for the final 7:32.

What Happened:
Seton Hall asserted itself right from the start. Leading 7-6, the Pirates went on a 9-0 burst and a free-throw by Obiagu put them on top, 16-6 in the early going. The Seahawks however, struck back with an 11-1 run of their own, cutting their deficit to 22-21 with 7:32 left in the first half. That's when the Pirates turned up their defense. The Hall kept Wagner off the scoreboard over the final 7:32 of the first half, forcing 11 straight Seahawks missed shots. During the span, the Pirates went on a 15-0 run, including eight points by Rhoden, to take a commanding 37-21 lead into halftime.

Wagner cut Seton Hall's lead to 13 points only a minute and a half into the second half, but the Pirates methodically pulled away thereafter. With 10:11 remaining, freshman Jahari Long (Houston, Texas) found Obiagu for an alley-oop dunk to extend The Hall's advantage to 58-32. The Pirates never looked back.

Inside the Numbers:

Seton Hall was 21-for-43 (48.8%) from the floor for the game, while Wagner was 17-for-62 (27.4%). The Hall was 5-for-16 (31.3%) from three-point range, while the Seahawks were 3-for-20 (15.0%).
The Hall out-rebounded Wagner, 40-to-31, with a decisive edge on the defensive glass, 33-to-17.
Seton Hall was 31-for-37 (83.8%) from the free-throw line, while the Seahawks were 8-for-14 (57.1%).
Seton Hall's bench significantly out-scored Wagner's, 18-to-4.
Rhoden finished with game-highs of 22 points and 11 rebounds. He was 6-for-9 from the floor, 2-for-3 from three-point range and 8-for-10 from the free-throw line. He also had three blocks.
Obiagu had a career-high 20 points on 4-for-4 shooting from the floor and 12-for-15 prowess from the free-throw line. He had a career-best eight blocks.
Senior Shavar Reynolds, Jr. (Manchester, N.J.) finished with nine points and a team-best five assists.

News & Notes:

The victory improves Seton Hall to 3-3 overall, while Wagner drops its season-opener, falling to 0-1.
Seton Hall improves to 26-6 all-time against Wagner and 20-1 against the Seahawks at home. It was the fifth time in the last six seasons that the teams have squared off.
Rhoden's double-double is his second of the season and the fourth of his career. Rhoden has now scored in double-figures in all six games this season. It's Rhoden's second career 20-point game.
Seton Hall is now 139-63 (.688) all-time at the Prudential Center, which includes a 74-11 (.871) mark against non-conference competition.
Seton Hall improves to 81-8 (.910) under head coach Kevin Willard in games that it scores at least 80 points.
The Pirates blocked a season-high 12 shots. Obiagu led the team with eight, which ties former teammate Romaro Gill for the most by Seton Hall player in Prudential Center history.
The Pirates made a season-high 31 shots from the free-throw line with a season-best 83.8%.

Up Next:
Seton Hall will return to action on Friday, December 11 when it opens BIG EAST Conference play by hosting local rival St. John's at Prudential Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. The game will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network, while Gary Cohen and Dave Popkin will call it on the radio on AM 970 The Answer, simulcast on XM 380, the Pirate Sports Network and TuneIn.