Seton Hall Pirates’ Furious Rally Comes Up Just Short in Maui Heartbreaker Against USC
You can’t say they didn’t have the heart. Down and looking for all the world like they were out, the Seton Hall Pirates clawed their way back only to have the game snatched away at the last second, falling to a tough USC Trojans squad 83-81 in a Maui Invitational semifinal that was an absolute barnburner.
It was a classic tale of two halves, a rollercoaster of emotion that left Pirates fans with whiplash and a bitter taste. For a glorious stretch in the first half, it looked like Coach Shaheen Holloway’s crew was going to run the undefeated Trojans right out of the Lahaina Civic Center. But basketball, as they say, is a game of runs. And this one had more twists than a telenovela.
An Explosive Start and a Sudden Stall
Riding high from their win over No. 23 NC State, the Pirates came out swinging. The energy was electric. AJ Staton-McCray, fresh off a season-best performance, picked up right where he left off, scoring the first four points. The Pirates’ defense was pure chaos for USC, forcing turnovers and turning them into fast-break points. Before you could say “aloha,” The Hall had built a commanding 13-point lead, 34-21, with just over five minutes left in the half.
It felt like a party. The defense was suffocating, tallying 9 steals and tying the Trojans’ offense in knots. Mike Williams and Budd Clark were drawing fouls and getting to the line, while Najai Hines and Trey Parker chipped in to build what seemed like an insurmountable lead.
But then, USC’s Rodney Rice decided to play hero. The man caught fire, single-handedly ripping off 11 straight points. Suddenly, that comfortable 13-point cushion evaporated like a puddle in the Hawaiian sun. By halftime, the lead was down to a precarious four, 42-38. The momentum had shifted, and you could feel the tension creeping back into the gym.
A See-Saw Second Half and a Gut-Wrenching Finish
USC carried that momentum straight into the second half. They came out determined, and a 17-6 Trojan run flipped the script entirely, putting Seton Hall down 55-53. For the first time since the opening minutes, the Pirates were trailing. It became a slugfest, with both teams trading blows. But the Trojans found a new best friend: the free-throw line. A parade of foul shots helped USC stretch its lead to eight points, 74-66, with just 4:10 on the clock.
Things looked bleak. But if you know anything about a Shaheen Holloway team, you know they don’t quit.
With his team’s back against the wall, Budd Clark, playing with four fouls, put the team on his shoulders. He hit clutch free throws, and then, in a moment of sheer brilliance, stole the inbound pass and found Staton-McCray. With ice in his veins, Staton-McCray launched a three-pointer that hit nothing but net, tying the game 78-78 with 1:02 remaining. The Pirates’ bench erupted. The comeback was complete.
Or so it seemed.
Heartbreak was waiting just around the corner. A questionable foul call sent USC back to the line, and they calmly sank both shots. On the next possession, Clark’s pass into the paint was picked off. A scramble, a forced foul, and more Trojan free throws sealed the Pirates’ fate. The comeback had fallen agonizingly short. The final score: 83-81. A brutal, two-point loss that felt like a punch to the gut.
Game Notes and What’s Next
Despite the loss, there were bright spots. Clark was phenomenal, posting his best game as a Pirate with a season-high 18 points and 7 assists. Staton-McCray continued his hot streak with another 17 points, and Elijah Fisher hit a career milestone, surpassing 1,000 career points. The team’s relentless defense was on full display again, recording at least nine steals for the seventh straight game.
The Pirates (6-1) don’t have time to dwell on the loss. They’ll be right back on the court Wednesday to face Washington State in the third-place game. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. EST, and you can bet Seton Hall will be coming out with something to prove.
