Seton Hall Rallies Past Marquette In Big East Thriller

Seton Hall fans in Newark are breathing a little easier these days. After a tough stretch that saw the Pirates drop four straight games, the squad showed grit and determination on Saturday, January 31, 2026, by rallying from behind to defeat Marquette 69-64 at the Prudential Center. The victory marks the Pirates' second consecutive win, pushing their record to an impressive 16-6 overall and 6-5 in the always competitive Big East Conference.

For much of the first half, it looked like Seton Hall might be in for another long night. Marquette came out firing, building a lead that had the Pirates trailing 41-33 at halftime. The Golden Eagles, led by Royce Parham’s 17 points, six rebounds, three steals, and two blocks, seemed poised to spoil Seton Hall’s homecoming. Nigel James Jr. chipped in 16 points, six rebounds, and two steals, while Ben Gold added 10 points for the visitors. Marquette’s aggressive defense and hot shooting from the perimeter kept the Pirates on their heels through the opening 20 minutes.

But as has become something of a calling card for this Seton Hall team, the second half told a very different story. The Pirates came out of the locker room with renewed energy and focus, outscoring Marquette 36-23 after the break. The charge was led by Budd Clark—also referred to as Adam Clark in some box scores—who poured in 15 of his 19 points in the second half, finishing with six assists and four rebounds. His court vision and leadership steadied the Pirates when the game hung in the balance.

Clark wasn’t the only Pirate to step up when it mattered most. A.J. Staton-McCray delivered a clutch three-pointer in the final seconds, sealing the win and electrifying the Prudential Center crowd. Staton-McCray ended the night with 11 points, hitting 4-of-9 from the field and a blistering 3-for-4 from beyond the arc. His timely shooting has become a weapon for Seton Hall, especially in tight contests like this one.

Stephon Payne III brought muscle and hustle to the frontcourt, tallying nine points and pulling down nine rebounds. Tajuan Simpkins contributed another nine points, rounding out a balanced offensive attack that kept Marquette’s defense guessing. For the Golden Eagles, Parham’s all-around effort kept them in the game, but the Pirates’ defensive adjustments in the second half proved too much to overcome.

Seton Hall’s ability to claw back from an eight-point halftime deficit was no accident. According to Pirates head coach Shaheen Holloway, the team’s resilience is starting to pay off after a rough patch earlier in the season. “These two games was huge for us,” Holloway said in a post-game radio interview. “Hopefully gives us some more confidence, that confidence back that we can win. Obviously, we got two tough road games coming up, but we got to worry about that when we get there. You know, the main thing right now is getting these guys some rest.”

The Pirates’ win streak comes at a crucial time. After a four-game skid that included a gut-wrenching home loss to UConn and a stunning collapse against St. John’s (where Seton Hall blew a 15-point second-half lead), the team needed to steady the ship. Back-to-back victories over Xavier and Marquette have done just that, but the road ahead doesn’t get any easier.

Seton Hall now turns its attention to a pivotal matchup against Villanova on February 4, 2026. The Wildcats, sitting at 16-5 overall and 7-3 in the Big East, already own a 64-56 win over the Pirates from December 23, also at the Prudential Center. This time, the action shifts to Villanova’s home court, where they recently notched an 87-73 victory over Providence. The stakes couldn’t be higher, with Seton Hall’s NCAA Tournament hopes hanging in the balance.

“[It was] a win they had to have,” New Jersey-based bracketologist Brad Wachtel told NJ Advance Media. “[They are] still out of the field right now, but a win at Nova would put them back in.” FOX Sports’ Mike DeCourcy added, “This would be considered just the avoidance of a bad loss. Obviously a lot will happen in the next week involving teams that are also on the edge of the bracket, but if the Pirates were able to win at Villanova, that would be a huge step forward.”

Coach Holloway isn’t looking past the challenge. “Obviously, they [Villanova] are playing well, they had a big win last night [87-73 over Providence],” he said. “I got to go back and watch film the next two days. Well, tonight and tomorrow. So Monday, I have a great game plan to get ready. Obviously, they have a very good team. They shoot the basketball very well at home. They’re very well coached.”

The Pirates are still searching for their first win this season against the Big East’s elite, sitting at 0-3 combined against UConn, St. John’s, and Villanova. If they can pull off a victory on the road, it would do wonders for their tournament résumé and, perhaps just as importantly, for their own belief. The team’s recent struggles have tested their resolve, but the last two games suggest they’re finding their footing at just the right time.

For Holloway, the win against Marquette also brought a personal perk. “I’m just happy I could go to my son’s birthday party,” he joked after the game, a nod to the grueling schedule and the sacrifices that come with coaching at this level.

Looking back at the numbers, Seton Hall’s comeback was fueled by defense and timely shooting. After allowing 41 points in the first half, the Pirates clamped down, holding Marquette to just 23 after intermission. Clark’s second-half explosion and Staton-McCray’s late-game heroics made the difference, while Payne III and Simpkins provided the steady support every winning team needs. For Marquette, Parham’s standout performance wasn’t enough to overcome a Pirates squad that simply refused to fold.

With momentum on their side and a crucial test looming, Seton Hall’s season remains very much alive. The next week promises to be a defining stretch for the Pirates, who are eager to prove they belong among the Big East’s best. For now, though, the team and its fans can savor a hard-fought win—and look forward to the battles yet to come.