The event started off with a bang. Seton Hall finished last in the Big East last year with a 2-18 record and 7-25 overall. This season, the Pirates have won their first six games of the season, including an upset against No. 23 NC State. Seton Hall’s defense led the team to victory, holding ACC preseason player of the year Darrion Williams to 12 points. The Pirates led for 37 of the game’s 40 minutes and were led by senior AJ Staton-McCray’s 22 points. Seton Hall had nine blocks and scored 19 points off turnovers. The Pirates will play USC after a survive-and-advance day for the Trojans. Junior Rodney Rice led USC in scoring with 27 points in the back-and-forth game against Boise State. The Trojans shot 48% from three but turned the ball over 13 times and struggled to close the game out due to turnovers and fouls. USC needs to play cleaner basketball to beat defensive minded Seton Hall. Washington State beat Chaminade 90-85 in a nail-biting win for Cougar fans. WSU needed a 40-12 run in the second half to beat the Silverswords. The Cougars struggled against Chaminade’s press defense all night, turning the ball over 23 times. Washington State advances to the semifinals and will face Arizona State. The Sun Devils have a tough outlook after a physical game against Texas. Texas shot 76% from the field in the second half, but Sparky got to the line so much that they could match the Longhorns scoring. Next up: Day two starts with No. 23 NC State vs. Boise State at 11: 30 a. m. PT.
https://dailyevergreen.com/193229/sports/day-one-recap-of-the-maui-invitational/
