Friday, March 6, 2015

Providence 79, Seton Hall 66: Ray Floriani's Photo Essay

Newark, NJ- From their earliest days of competitive basket players are told, ‘you must put two halves together;. A full effort is required. Players are well aware of this, yet there are times they fall short. In those instances, the ‘basketball gods’ deliver a message of their own.

On Wednesday, the Seton Hall Senior Night at the Prudential Center, this was the case. The Hall put together a strong first half, taking momentum and an eight-point lead into the locker room at the break. 

The second half saw a complete reversal of fortunes, not just for Seton Hall, but their Big East opponent Providence as well. The visiting Friars rang up fifty points en route to a 79-66 decision over the Pirates. That is a 21-point swing in 20 minutes. In tempo-free numbers Providence’s efficiency margin (offense minus defense) was -25 at the half. They finished with a +21 for the game.

Numbers aside, the game was clearly about having the lead, and as Seton Hall Coach Kevin Willard said, ‘failing to sustain’. Providence got the message from their mentor Ed Cooley. While the Friars did not have a half to remember at the start, they finished strong enough to exit the Prudential Center with a victory.

Cooley would be in agreement with Willard or any other coach roaming the sidelines, you must put two halves together. On this night, one outstanding one was good for a Providence road win.

Tyler Harris of Providence is all concentration on the foul line:
The halftime entertainment, a band who will perform at the St. Patrick's Day Parade on Mulberry Street in Newark:
Big East Champion Seton Hall's coaching staff. From left: Director of player development Nick DiPillo, director of basketball operations Marissa Flagg, assistant coach Lauren DeFalco, and head coach Tony Bozzella:
The Sapphire dance team as Flag Man Anthony Marotta goes through his routine:
Sterling Gibbs of Seton Hall applies backcourt pressure:
Official Mike Roberts, who worked with Roger Ayers and Gary Prager on a solid crew:
Ed Cooley of Providence meets the media:

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