KC Ndefo had a game-high 16 points and 12 rebounds and Seton Hall held on for a 71-67 victory over host DePaul in Big East action Saturday at Chicago.
Ndefo hit 6 of 10 shots from the field and was joined in double figures by Al-Amir Dawes with 15 points and Tyrese Samuel and Femi Odukale with 12 each.
The Pirates (11-8, 4-4) shot 26 of 56 (46.4 percent) from the field, including 4 of 11 (36.4 percent) from 3-point range. Seton Hall, which has won three straight and four of its past five games, outrebounded the Blue Demons 37-27.
DePaul (8-10, 2-5), which has lost three of its past four games, had five scorers in double figures led by Da’Sean Nelson with 15 points. Yor Anei had 13 points, Umoja Gibson added 11 and Philmon Gebrewhit and Javan Johnson finished with 10 points apiece. Eral Penn had eight points and 10 rebounds.
The Blue Demons shot 22 of 49 (44.9 percent) from the field, including 9 of 26 (34.6 percent) from beyond the arc.
After DePaul tied the game at 60 on Johnson’s two free throws with 5:38 remaining, Samuel’s two free throws gave the Pirates a 62-60 lead they wouldn’t relinquish with 5:13 to go.
Ndefo’s layup made it a four-point game with 4:48 remaining before Odukale split a pair of free throws to extend the advantage to 65-60 with 3:19 to play.
Johnson’s 3-pointer pulled DePaul to within 68-67 with 47 seconds remaining, but Odukale made the first of his two free throws with 14.7 seconds left for a 69-67 lead.
Odukale missed his second attempt, but Ndefo grabbed the rebound and got it to Dawes, who was fouled with 10 seconds left.
Dawes sank two free throws to provide the final margin.
Seton Hall led by as many as seven in the first half before the Blue Demons chipped away and took a brief advantage before the Pirates tied the game 39-39 at halftime.
–Field Level Media