Newark, NJ — With Seton Hall’s season hanging in the balance, the Pirates understood the importance of protecting their home floor to keep their tournament hopes alive. However, Tuesday night’s loss to DePaul in Newark delivered a significant blow to their at-large aspirations. The Blue Demons controlled the game from start to finish, outplaying the Pirates in nearly every facet. DePaul combined tenacious defense with a well-structured offensive approach, matching Seton Hall’s physicality and refusing to be pushed around. Down the stretch, the Blue Demons forced multiple key turnovers, sealing momentum and ultimately securing a 69–57 victory.
Two major factors in DePaul’s win were NJ Benson and CJ Gunn, who combined for 39 points and consistently applied pressure on the Pirates. Benson led the way with 21 points and eight rebounds, imposing his will in the paint. He played through contact, backing down Seton Hall’s big men and either drawing fouls by getting them off their feet or converting tough, contested finishes around the rim. Benson also attacked the offensive glass with purpose, generating multiple second-chance opportunities that kept DePaul in control.
Gunn added 18 points and seven rebounds, showcasing impressive shot creation and confident shot-making. The smooth shooter was relentless off the ball, sprinting off screens and using constant movement to create separation. His activity eventually led to clean looks, and he capitalized, delivering timely buckets that helped maintain the Blue Demons’ momentum throughout the game.
Once again, Budd Clark paced the Pirates, finishing with 19 points and five assists. He consistently found his way to his patented midrange jumper, knocking down difficult shots off ball screens—especially when DePaul’s bigs switched onto him. In the first half, Clark was particularly effective as a playmaker, controlling the tempo and creating opportunities for his teammates. However, that same level of facilitation didn’t carry over into the second half, which proved costly as the Pirates searched for rhythm offensively.
Turnovers also became a key issue. Clark finished with five giveaways, including several ball-security lapses in the final four minutes that stripped Seton Hall of valuable possessions. Those mistakes halted momentum and made an already challenging comeback attempt feel even more out of reach.
Another element that cannot go unnoticed was the impressive X’s and O’s execution from the DePaul coaching staff. Time and time again, the Blue Demons came out of timeouts with well-designed ATO sets that had the Pirates scrambling defensively, often resulting in clean, uncontested scoring opportunities. Chris Holtmann and his staff have taken on the difficult challenge of revitalizing a historically struggling program, and the early signs are promising. With Holtmann at the helm, DePaul appears far more structured and disciplined, and they project to be a difficult opponent as long as he is leading the program.
Looking ahead, the urgency only increases for the Seton Hall Pirates, who return home Saturday for a pivotal matchup against Georgetown. With their tournament hopes still within reach, protecting home court is no longer optional — it’s essential. A strong response will be needed to regain momentum and restore confidence after Wednesday’s setback. Meanwhile, DePaul will aim to build on their statement win when they host the Providence Friars. If the Blue Demons replicate the same defensive intensity and disciplined execution they displayed in Newark, they’ll have a strong opportunity to continue their upward trajectory and further solidify themselves as a team capable of making noise down the stretch.
This article was written by William Murphy, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball. You can follow us on Instagram, or on twitter.
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