Seton Hall Looks to Extend Hot Start Against Georgetown in Big East Clash

WASHINGTON (Interstat) — The surging Seton Hall Pirates will put their five-game winning streak on the line against the Georgetown Hoyas in a Big East Conference men’s basketball matchup Saturday at Capital One Arena.

The Pirates (13-2, 3-1 Big East), who entered the AP Top 25 this week at No. 22, are coming off a gritty 56-54 home victory over then-Creighton last Sunday. Georgetown (9-6, 1-3) seeks to rebound from a 56-50 road loss at DePaul on Tuesday, its third defeat in four games.

Seton Hall has been anchored by a balanced attack and stout defense, allowing an average of just 62.2 points during its current streak. A key contributor has been sophomore forward Najai Hines, who is coming off a strong performance against Creighton with eight points, nine rebounds and three blocks in 19 minutes. Over his last three games, Hines has averaged 8.0 points and 3.0 blocks while providing a major defensive presence.

The Hoyas will counter with high-scoring guard KJ Lewis. The junior is averaging 16.8 points over his last five contests, including a 27-point outburst in a 95-83 loss to Saint John’s on Dec. 31. Lewis’s ability to create offense will be critical for a Georgetown team that has struggled with consistency, particularly in late-game situations with narrow losses to Xavier and DePaul in recent weeks.

Historically, Georgetown holds a 62-55 series advantage, but Seton Hall has won seven of the last ten meetings. The Pirates’ strong start is their best since the 2019-20 season, while the Hoyas aim to stabilize their conference record before a daunting upcoming schedule that includes games against Connecticut and Creighton.

Saturday’s contest tips off at 12 p.m. EST and will be televised on Fox Sports 1. For Seton Hall, it’s a chance to solidify its standing atop the Big East. For Georgetown, it’s an opportunity for a season-defining win in front of its home crowd.