Simpkins' Offensive Surge Helps Pirates Sail Past New Haven

Tuesday, November 18

Newark, N.J.

7:00 p.m.

Seton Hall University

5-0,0-0Big East

New Haven

2-4,0-0NEC

New Haven

Seton Hall

Simpkins' Offensive Surge Helps Pirates Sail Past New Haven

11/18/2025 9:31:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

NEWARK, N.J. — Off the back of an 18-point performance from Tajuan Simpkins and a double-double from Stephon Payne, the Seton Hall men's basketball team downed the New Haven Chargers, 68-45, inside the Prudential Center for its first 5-0 start to a season since 2014-15.

The Pirates (5-0) dominated offensively in all phases, shooting 48.1 percent from the field, 40 percent from three and 80 percent from the free throw line. Meanwhile, the Chargers (2-4) were mired under the weight of the Pirates' defense, shooting 34.7 percent (17-49) from the field and 28.6 percent (6-21) from three.

How It Happened
Chasing their first 5-0 start since the 2014-15 season, the Pirates came out flying on both ends of the court. From the wing, Mike Williams set the tone for what was to come, collecting eight points in the opening minutes from range. In the paint, Payne dominated the paint, collecting four rebounds and adding five points as the Pirates quickly found themselves in front of New Haven 13-3 through less than five minutes of play.

The Chargers did not let the Pirates run too far out front, however, as a 9-5 run by the visitors drew The Hall's lead down to five, 17-12, as the twelve-minute mark arrived in The Rock. Despite their newfound momentum, New Haven quickly found themselves on the wrong end of a surging Pirates side that had their offense set to full mast.

Instead of Williams and Payne, AJ Staton-McCray and TJ Simpkins sat at the helm of the Pirates' dominant run in the back half of the opening 20 minutes. McCray ended the Chargers' run with a three-pointer before adding another four points later over the course of the half. At the wheel for the Pirate blue, however, was Simpkins. The junior rattled off points with pristine efficiency, going 5-for-5 for 13 points as the lead grew to 18, 40-22 with just over three minutes left in the half. New Haven would reduce the lead in the opening minutes, but The Hall still held a 14-point lead, 42-28, entering the break.

Josh gets on the board for the first time in the Blue & White 💪 pic.twitter.com/jzwJtCxYI6
— Seton Hall Men's Basketball (@SetonHallMBB) November 19, 2025

After the team's best first-half performance since the 2024 NIT Semifinal against Georgia, the Pirates opened the second half sputtering on the offensive end. Through the opening five minutes of the second half, despite The Hall shooting a mere 2-8 from the field, the team expanded its lead to 16, 47-31.

As the clock eclipsed ten minutes remaining, the Pirates continued to sputter offensively as their lead shrank to 13, 50-37. However, off a New Haven turnover, things finally began to turn back into Seton Hall's favor. What started with a Jacob Dar layup was quickly followed by a Budd Clark steal and lay-in. A pair of free throws later by Simpkins had the Pirates back and running with their lead back up to 19, 56-37, as the clock went under seven minutes.

As the half came to a close, the Pirates salted the clock away while greatly expanding their lead. As the final buzzer sounded, the Pirates claimed a 23-point victory, 68-45, over the New Haven Chargers.

News & Notes

This was the first meeting between the two programs.
The Hall moves to 5-0 to open the season for the first time since the 2014-15 season.
With 68 points tonight, the Pirates have logged 68 or more points in their first five games for the first time since the 2019-20 season.
This is the second consecutive season the Pirates have held the their first five opponents under 66 points.
The Hall has recorded a minimum of three double-digit scorers in every game this season.
Seton Hall held the Chargers without a basket for a 6:10 stretch during the second half.
- They held Monmouth without a basket for the opening 7:10 in second half last game.
The Pirates recorded their fifth consecutive game with nine or more steals.
- The team last achieved this in six consecutive games last season from January 18 versus St. John's to February 5 against Butler.
Simpkins recorded a season-high 18 points off the bench.
Payne recorded his first double-double (13 pts, 11 rbs) of the season.
Staton-McCray recorded his third-consecutive games with double-digit points.

Up Next
The Pirates are back in action on Monday, November 24, when they tip off at the Maui Invitational against NC State inside the Lahaina Civic Center. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2 with opening tip slated for 2:30 p.m. EST.