Newark, N.J. – What began as a frustrating night for Seton Hall quickly turned into a test of resilience. The Pirates struggled mightily in the first half, failing to generate quality looks and struggling to move the ball with any rhythm. Their offense stagnated, their spacing faltered, and they went into the locker room facing a 7-point deficit. Meanwhile, Monmouth capitalized on the sluggish start, shooting the ball efficiently and controlling the pace through the opening 20 minutes.
But the second half told a completely different story. Seton Hall came out with renewed energy, tightening up defensively, pushing the tempo, and finally finding flow within their offense. The Pirates chipped away possession by possession, eventually overtaking the Hawks and completing an impressive comeback. Behind a combination of improved ball movement, defensive pressure, and tougher shot-making, Seton Hall outscored Monmouth by double digits in the final frame to secure a 70–58 victory and avoid what could have been a costly early-season stumble.
It was more of the same from the Pirates’ emerging breakout freshman, Najai Hines. With starting big man Stephon Payne sidelined early due to foul trouble, Hines was called upon to stabilize the interior and prevent Seton Hall from slipping into a deeper deficit — and he delivered. Though he struggled early with a few short-range finishes, he settled in during the second half and made his presence felt on both ends of the floor. Hines finished with a strong all-around stat line of 7 points, 8 rebounds, and an impressive 7 blocks.
His defensive impact completely changed the tone of the game. Hines protected the rim at an elite level, erasing shots, deterring drives, and giving the Pirates the ability to push the ball in transition. His ability to anchor the defense not only slowed Monmouth’s momentum but also created easy opportunities for Seton Hall’s guards on the other end.
Throughout the game, two players kept Monmouth within striking distance: freshman Stefanos Spartalis and senior sharpshooter Jack Collins. Spartalis refused to back down from the moment, battling physically in the post against both Payne and Hines. His aggressiveness was a major reason Payne found himself in early foul trouble. Spartalis finished with an impressive 16 points on 3-of-6 shooting while going 9-of-10 from the free-throw line, showcasing poise and toughness well beyond his years.
As for Collins, he was the focal point of Seton Hall’s defensive game plan — and for good reason. Despite shooting just 31.5% from three last season, he attempted 165 threes, demonstrating his confidence and willingness to let it fly from deep. That confidence carried into tonight, as Collins opened the game by knocking down three of his first five attempts from beyond the arc. He entered halftime with 11 points and had the Pirates scrambling, taking advantage of defensive lapses, missed switches, and second-chance opportunities that left him wide open far too often.
One of the guards who piggy backed off of Hines’ dominant performance was Elon transfer TJ Simpkins. As the first man off the bench, Simpkins delivered exactly what the Pirates needed, finishing with 14 points and 8 rebounds — including 4 huge offensive boards. He provided a much-needed spark offensively, knocking down two timely threes that helped ignite a few Seton Hall runs.
Simpkins also showcased his ball-handling and composure. With Trey Parker struggling to create space for himself in outlet opportunities in transition during his minutes, Simpkins stepped in as the primary guard and brought the ball up the floor with pace and control. He facilitated the offense effectively, kept the team organized, and limited mistakes in key moments. In my eyes, Simpkins is a true X-factor for this Pirates squad — a capable scorer who can swing momentum instantly while also bringing consistent effort and toughness on the defensive end.
Seton Hall’s comeback victory over Monmouth served as an early reminder of this team’s potential when effort, discipline, and resilience come together. What began as a sluggish, error-filled first half transformed into a confident, physically imposing second-half performance powered by emerging contributors like Hines and Simpkins. The Pirates showed they can win even when their best basketball isn’t there from the start — a trait that will matter as the season progresses. With momentum now building, Seton Hall will look to carry this improved energy and execution into their next matchup on Tuesday, when they return to the court to host New Haven.
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.
