Seton Hall Upsets #1 UConn in Thrilling Overtime Battle

NEWARK – The grit, determination, and defensive intensity that have long defined Seton Hall basketball finally resurfaced Saturday—just in time for a showdown with reigning national champion UConn.

With an electric atmosphere inside the Prudential Center, the Pirates delivered their most inspired performance of the season, stunning the Huskies 69-68 in a dramatic overtime finish.

Sophomore wing Scotty Middleton sealed the victory with a clutch hustle play in the closing seconds. After intercepting a UConn inbounds pass, Middleton’s initial layup attempt in traffic missed, but he quickly followed up with a tip-in that dropped through the net with three seconds remaining, sending the crowd of 10,222 into a frenzy.

The game was a fierce, back-and-forth battle, embodying the toughness and resilience that Seton Hall head coach Shaheen Holloway values most. In a season filled with struggles, the Pirates finally looked like the team their fans had been waiting for.

Seton Hall’s victory was a true team effort, with standout performances across the lineup. Sophomore wing Isaiah Coleman led the charge, pouring in 23 points and grabbing eight rebounds as the Pirates (7-18 overall, 2-12 Big East) snapped a nine-game losing streak. The win also marked Seton Hall’s fourth consecutive home triumph over the defending champion Huskies.

For the first time in weeks, the Pirates played with passion and intensity, suffocating UConn with relentless defensive pressure. They held the Huskies to just 37 percent shooting, dominated the hustle plays, and consistently won the battle for loose balls. The energy inside the Prudential Center was electric, as the home crowd roared with the kind of enthusiasm that had been missing in recent games, rekindling memories of Seton Hall’s past toughness and resilience.

Seton Hall built an eight-point lead in regulation, but UConn stormed back late in the second half, appearing to take control with a 57-50 advantage with just 1:54 remaining. The Pirates refused to fold, chipping away at the deficit until they were within three points with 12 seconds left. Then, chaos unfolded in dramatic fashion. Freshman center Godswill Erheriene’s dunk attempt ricocheted off the rim, landing in the hands of postgrad guard Dylan Addae-Wusu, who remained poised under pressure and drained a clutch three-pointer with just three seconds left, sending the game into overtime.

In overtime, UConn (17-8, 9-5) struggled to inbound the ball and ultimately couldn’t withstand Seton Hall’s relentless intensity—a familiar sight in Newark. The Pirates have now gone 5-5 against the Huskies since Dan Hurley took over, with Shaheen Holloway holding a 3-2 record against one of college basketball’s elite programs. Holloway’s success in overtime games continues to stand out, as he improved to 10-3 as a head coach, including an impressive 4-1 mark with Seton Hall.