Seton Hall Pirates vs Butler Bulldogs Match Player Stats On Jan 15, 2020

Myles Powell scored a game-high 29 points and Jared Rhoden swished the key 3-pointer as No. 18 Seton Hall won a battle of Big East unbeatens, toppling No. 5 Butler 78-70 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Wednesday night.

Romaro Gill added 17 points for the Pirates (13-4, 5-0 Big East) before fouling out with 3:48 left, and Quincy McKnight provided an 11-point, 13-assist double-double. Rhoden also finished with 11 points and hit a 23-footer from the left wing at the end of the shot clock with 42 seconds left for a 73-68 lead.

That was the biggest shot in a game-ending 13-4 spurt that upped Seton Hall's winning streak to seven games while giving the Bulldogs (15-2, 3-1) their first home loss of the season. It also marked the most points Butler has allowed this season.

Kamar Baldwin scored 19 points and dished out six assists for the Bulldogs, who also got 14 points and 10 rebounds off the bench from Jordan Tucker. Sean McDermott chipped in 11 points, but Butler made only 9 of 30 attempts from the field after halftime.

Rhoden sank two foul shots with 3:33 left to give the Pirates the lead for good at 67-66, and Powell added one of his five 3-pointers to make it 70-66 at the 3:12 mark.

Seton Hall wasted no time landing the first punch. The Pirates scored on their first four possessions, dissecting Butler's defense in a way few teams have this season. Powell's steal and layup at the 13:56 mark gave them a 17-8 lead.

But the Bulldogs controlled the first half's remainder by using the tools that have propelled them from being picked to finish eighth in the conference in October to the national top 5 -- solid defense and efficient offense. A 13-3 burst, capped by consecutive 3-pointers from Tucker, gave them their first lead at 21-20.

After Seton Hall regained a 24-21 edge, Butler finished the half with a 19-6 run over the final 8:54. McDermott capped it by converting a reverse layup just before the buzzer, sending Butler to the locker room with a 40-30 advantage.

--Field Level Media