Field Level Media
Jan 2, 2021
Sandro Mamukelashvili had 24 points, nine rebounds and six assists to lead Seton Hall to a 68-60 home victory over Butler in a Big East Conference contest on Saturday.
Jared Rhoden scored 19 points and Shavar Reynolds added 10 for Seton Hall (8-4, 5-1 Big East), which has won seven of its eight last games following a 1-3 start.
Myles Tate scored 22 points, Chuck Harris had 11 and Jair Bolden added 10 in defeat for Butler (2-5, 1-3).
Leading 34-25 at halftime, Seton Hall looked like it was poised to put the game away early in the second half, taking a 45-32 lead with 15:21 remaining in the game.
Butler didn't go away, though, as the Bulldogs responded with a 14-2 run to cut Seton Hall's lead to one at 47-46 with 8:08 remaining after a 3-pointer by Myles Wilmoth.
Seton Hall took a 58-53 lead with 3:03 remaining after a Rhoden basket, but Butler pulled within two at 58-56 with 2:45 left on a 3-pointer by Bolden.
On Seton Hall's next possession, Myles Cale drained a 3-pointer from the corner to give Seton Hall a 61-56 lead with 2:26 left.
The teams then traded baskets before Seton Hall went ahead 64-58 with 37.9 seconds left on a free throw by Rhoden.
Tate hit a layup with 30.6 seconds remaining to pull Butler to within 64-60, but Seton Hall went ahead 66-60 with 25.1 seconds left after two free throws by Bryce Aiken.
Following a Butler miss, Mamukelashvili was fouled on the rebound and hit two free throws with 15.8 seconds left to give Seton Hall a 68-60 advantage.
Butler got off to a good start, taking a 20-13 lead with 9:37 remaining in the first half when Seton Hall started to find some footing.
The Pirates answered with an 8-0 run to take a 21-20 lead with 5:55 to go until halftime.
From there, Seton Hall ended the first half with a 13-5 run to take their 34-25 lead at the break.
--Field Level Media