Overview
- Seton Hall forced 18 turnovers that yielded 21 points and outscored Rutgers 52-24 in the paint while shooting 54.8% to the Scarlet Knights’ 35.8%.
- A.J. Staton-McCray led the Pirates with 18 points, Budd Clark added 16 with seven assists and four steals, and freshman Najai Hines posted 10 points, six rebounds and four blocks.
- The victory moved Seton Hall to 10-1, its best start since 2011-12, while Rutgers fell to 5-6 with six losses in its last seven games.
- The 22-point margin was the rivalry’s largest since 2015-16, and the Garden State Hardwood Classic trophy returns to Newark for the first time since 2022.
- NJ.com’s analysis reports Seton Hall’s turnaround was aided by a larger revenue-share budget used to secure transfers and recruits, with Rutgers operating on roughly half that level.