Newark, NJ — Seton Hall opened its 2026-27 men’s basketball season in impressive fashion Monday night, defeating Saint Peter’s 66-42 at the Prudential Center behind a strong defensive effort and balanced scoring.
The Pirates, led by head coach Shaheen Holloway, improved to 1-0 after holding the Peacocks to just 42 points and controlling the game on both ends of the floor.
Roddie Anderson III paced Seton Hall with 15 points, while Terry Copeland Jr. chipped in 10. Simeon Wilcher finished with eight points, and Elijah Fisher and freshman Darien Moore Jr. contributed seven points apiece.
Saint Peter’s struggled to find an offensive rhythm against Seton Hall’s defensive pressure. Bryce Eaton led the Peacocks with 16 points, including four three-pointers, but the rest of the lineup had difficulty generating consistent offense.
The Pirates took control after Saint Peter’s opened with an early 8-4 advantage. Seton Hall responded with a run that brought the game even at 8-8, and Anderson helped fuel the momentum with 10 points during the final six minutes of the first half.
Seton Hall’s defense was particularly effective down the stretch, limiting the Peacocks to just 10 points over the final 16:10 of the opening period. The Pirates carried a commanding 36-18 lead into halftime.
Anderson continued his productive night after the break, connecting on a three-pointer just 10 seconds into the second half. Seton Hall continued to extend its advantage, eventually building a 54-29 lead.
Copeland provided an offensive boost, while Moore made an encouraging collegiate debut. Moore finished with seven points on 3-of-3 shooting, including a three-pointer, and recorded two steals in 11 minutes.
Wilcher contributed eight points, three rebounds and two assists. Fisher added seven points, four rebounds and two steals. Devin Williams finished with five points, three rebounds and two blocked shots.
Holloway Praises Parker’s Return and Defensive Intensity
One of the encouraging developments for Holloway was having Trey Parker back in the lineup. Although Parker’s contribution may not have stood out statistically, the coach emphasized the energy and defensive intensity he brought to the floor.
“Having Trey Parker back was good for us,” Holloway said. “When Petro and Trey were in the game together, they gave us a spark, right? It won’t show in the box score, but (Parker’s) defense was really good, his intensity was good. It was contagious, right?”
Holloway also acknowledged that Seton Hall’s guard play remains an area that needs improvement.
After expressing significant concerns about the Pirates’ guards following their exhibition performance, Holloway offered a more measured assessment following the season opener. He made it clear that developing consistency in the backcourt will remain a daily priority.
“We’ve gotta get our guards better,” he said. “I don’t care if it’s middle school ball, high school ball, college ball, NBA guard play is extremely important. No disrespect to bigs, bigs are good, but guards help win games, keep you in games. Right now, I don’t want to say we’re struggling with it, but we gotta get better with it. It’s a work in progress, it’s constant work every single day with it. If guys continue to keep buying in, I think we’re gonna be okay.”
The comments reflected Holloway’s emphasis on continued development and accountability as the Pirates work to establish chemistry with a roster that features several new faces.
Defense Sets the Tone
Seton Hall’s defensive performance was the biggest difference in Monday night’s matchup. The Pirates held Saint Peter’s to 13-of-50 shooting from the field, or 26 percent, while forcing 16 turnovers and recording 12 steals.
Seton Hall also controlled the rebounding battle, finishing with a 37-28 advantage. The Pirates converted Saint Peter’s turnovers into 24 points and received 26 points from their bench.
For Holloway, the opening-night victory provided a positive starting point, but the coach knows there is plenty of work ahead, particularly with the development of the guards and the team’s overall consistency.
The Pirates will look to build on their season-opening performance when they face LIU on Thursday, November 5, at Walsh Gymnasium in South Orange. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
Seton Hall Leading Scorers
- Roddie Anderson III: 15 points
- Terry Copeland Jr.: 10 points
- Simeon Wilcher: 8 points
- Elijah Fisher: 7 points
- Darien Moore Jr.: 7 points
Saint Peter’s Leading Scorers
- Bryce Eaton: 16 points
- Ken Walker: 8 points
- Trey Patterson: 6 points
- Xavier Thomas: 5 points
- Jordan Mathews: 5 points
