Seton Hall 78, Xavier 54: Ray Floriani's Tempo-Free Analysis

Seton Hall cheerleaders entertain fans during Pirates' meeting with Xavier. (Photo courtesy of Ray Floriani)

South Orange, NJ ­- Seton Hall bounced back from their setback at St. John’s a week earlier in emphatic manner. The Pirates put together an explosive second half en route to a 78­-54 triumph over Xavier at Walsh Gym. The numbers of note......

Possessions: Xavier 76, Seton Hall 75

Offensive Efficiency: Seton Hall 104, Xavier 71

Four Factors:

eFG%: Seton Hall 44, Xavier 38

FT Rate: Seton Hall 14, Xavier 12

OREB%: Seton Hall 31, Xavier 31

TO Rate: Xavier 29, Seton Hall 7

What Xavier did well: Shoot well from three. The Musketeers were 7-of-16 (44%) from long distance. Maleeka Kynard and Kindell Fincher were both 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. Xavier also competed well early into second half. At that point, it was a one-possession game before Seton Hall took over.

What Seton Hall did well: Dominate the turnover category. On offense, the Hall committed only 5 turnovers for an outstanding 7% TO rate. On defense, they imposed their pressure will, forcing Xavier into 22 turnovers (a 29% rate).

Leading Scorers:

Ka-Deidre Simmons, Seton Hall (19 points)

Maleeka Kynard, Xavier (14 points)

Efficiency Leaders:

Tiffany Jones, Seton Hall (23)

Maleeka Kynard, Xavier (14)

Jones shot 6-of-9 from the floor, pulled down 7 rebounds and blocked 4 shots. Jones, a 6-­3 junior forward, provided the Hall another dimension to their attack, inside and out. Janee Johnson finished with a 22 efficiency, just behind Jones. Her line saw 13 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals. Johnson also shot 3-of-5 from three-point range. 

Seton Hall placed five players in double figures. Defensively, they were dominant as well, not simply forcing turnovers, but limiting Xavier to seven second half field goals (7-of-29 for 24%). The Musketeers actually had more success from three in the final twenty minutes, shooting 4-of-8 for 50%.

“Last week we had maybe our worst overall performance at St. John’s. Tonight, we had our best one this season.” ­ Seton hall coach Tony Bozzella