Georgetown 86, Seton Hall 67: Ray Floriani's Photo Essay

Newark, NJ ­- The final score can be deceptive. It will reveal the obvious, winning and losing teams. Sometimes, it does not do justice to reveal how the game was played, or the manner it unfolded to produce the final outcome.

On Tuesday, Georgetown defeated Seton Hall 86-67 at the Prudential Center. A tip-to-buzzer blowout? Hardly. A definitive win for the visiting Hoyas, no doubt, but one requiring a mix of poise and resolve. Interestingly, the final score would not lead one to believe this.

Georgetown started fast, with an 11-4 lead at the 16-minute timeout. That margin soon increased to 20 right around the midway point of the first half. Seton Hall regrouped, went on a run and closed it to a two-possession, very manageable, five-point halftime deficit.

Following intermission, the perimeter shots fell for the Pirates, and the crowd delighted in a tie game with a decided edge in momentum. That momentum, though, was to play a big part. Seton Hall never gained the lead. One could wonder what may have transpired if the score went to the Hall’s advantage. Georgetown settled down. The Hoyas rebuilt their lead to modest numbers that soon inflated to the final count of 19 points.

Georgetown coach John Thompson III had told his team at the half to be ready, that Seton Hall made a run and could be expected to do so again. As Thompson told the media, “it (making a run) is what good teams do, and Seton Hall is a good team.”

Georgetown took the coach’s words to heart. They maintained direction and executed in the heat of the Seton Hall run. The result, a road win, a precious commodity in this Big East Conference.

Forget the somewhat deceptive score for a moment. It was a challenge for the Hoyas, and they responded.

Early arrivals, an hour prior to tip, at the Rock:

Fans slowly settling in during warmups:

Seton Hall women's basketball coach Tony Bozzella, a halftime guest with WSOU's Anthony DiPaolo:

Special Olympians pose after playing a brief game at the half:

Kevin Willard on the Seton Hall sidelines:

Sterling Gibbs, all concentration on the free throw line:

With the win in the books, (L-R) D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera, coach John Thompson III and Isaac Copeland of Georgetown meet the media: