Newark, N.J. – Entering Saturday afternoon’s matchup, the Butler Bulldogs were mired in a four-game losing streak and in dire need of a Big East victory to regain some momentum. They responded with a poised and disciplined performance. Led by the steady play of combo guard Finley Bizjack and efficient team free-throw shooting down the stretch, Butler was able to create just enough separation to hold off the Seton Hall Pirates, securing a 77–66 win. The victory provided a much-needed confidence boost for the Bulldogs as they looked to reset their season and reestablish themselves in conference play.
Junior guard Bizjack was outstanding today, finishing with a game-high 25 points as the Pirates struggled to find any answers for him. Bizjack was particularly effective playing off the ball, showing a strong feel for the game by orchestrating actions that consistently put him in position for clean, open looks, which he converted with confidence. He also displayed excellent poise when attacking the heart of Seton Hall’s defense, using well-timed pump fakes to get opposing bigs off their feet and drawing multiple fouls, which he capitalized on at the free-throw line. With the ball in his hands, Bizjack was equally impressive operating out of the pick-and-roll, showing the ability to make the right read by either hitting the roller or getting all the way to the rim himself.
Playing from behind has been a recurring theme for the Pirates all season, and it proved costly once again in this matchup. Seton Hall went into the break trailing by double digits and was forced to rely on a late comeback to try to steal a win. This time, however, Butler never let up, keeping consistent pressure on the Pirates and refusing to take their foot off the gas. For the first time this season, Seton Hall’s full-court pressure failed to significantly disrupt its opponent, and the difference was evident. Butler freshman guard Azavier Robinson was particularly composed against the press, advancing the ball quickly and efficiently while consistently avoiding the coffin corner—an area the Pirates typically target for traps, turnovers, and jump-ball situations.
During non-conference play, the Pirates’ top scorer AJ Staton-McCray averaged 14.2 points per game, but that production dropped sharply once Big East play began, as he entered the day averaging just 6.8 points per contest in conference action. In need of a confidence-boosting performance, Staton-McCray delivered signs of a turnaround in this one. He finished with 17 points and played with noticeably better pace and composure. On the opening possession, head coach Shaheen Holloway ran a perfectly designed set to get him attacking downhill; although the initial attempt missed, Staton-McCray stayed with the play, secured the offensive rebound, and converted the putback. From there, he consistently applied pressure at the rim, finishing through traffic and drawing fouls, going a perfect 8-for-8 at the free-throw line. For Seton Hall to find consistent scoring moving forward, getting Staton-McCray back to this level of play will be essential.
Saturday’s result offered a clear snapshot of where both programs currently stand. For Butler, the win served as a much-needed reset, showing the value of disciplined execution, strong guard play, and composure late in games as they snapped their skid and regained momentum in Big East play. The Bulldogs will look to build on that performance when they return home to host DePaul on Tuesday. For Seton Hall, the loss reinforced familiar challenges—slow starts and difficulty generating consistent offense against prepared opponents—but also provided encouraging signs from Staton-McCray. The Pirates will have little time to dwell on this one, as they head across the Hudson on Tuesday for a challenging road matchup at St. John’s, where addressing those early-game lapses will be critical.
This article was written by William Murphy, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.
We are looking for those interested in our basketball scout apprenticeship program. For information contact us and forward your resume.
