NEWARK, N.J. (Interstat) — In a dominant season-opening performance fueled by a stifling defense and a parade to the free-throw line, the Seton Hall Pirates dispatched the Saint Peter’s Peacocks 77-50 in a non-conference men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Monday night at Prudential Center.

A crowd of 6,312 watched as the Pirates, heavy favorites entering the contest, methodically built a double-digit lead in the first half and never relented, holding the Peacocks to a frigid 27.5 percent shooting from the floor. The game was characterized by Seton Hall’s physicality and efficiency, particularly at the charity stripe, where they outscored Saint Peter’s by 14 points.

The contest was effectively decided by halftime. Seton Hall established control early, leveraging its size and defensive pressure to create a 41-28 lead at the break. The Pirates’ defense was the story of the half, forcing the Peacocks into difficult shots and capitalizing on turnovers.

The second half offered no respite for the visitors. Seton Hall continued its defensive clinic, outscoring Saint Peter’s 36-22 after intermission to secure the 27-point victory. The Pirates’ offensive rating of 130.3, a measure of points scored per 100 possessions, starkly contrasted with the Peacocks’ anemic 81.4, highlighting the vast efficiency gap between the two teams on this night.

Seton Hall’s victory was a collective effort, with a deep and balanced scoring attack. Najai Hines led the way with a near double-double, contributing 12 points and pulling down nine rebounds in just 21 minutes of action. His most significant impact came on the defensive end, where he swatted away six Peacock shots, setting a formidable tone in the paint.

He was complemented by Stephon Payne III, who added 11 points, and TJ Simpkins, who chipped in 10 points off the bench. Elijah Fisher provided a strong all-around performance with eight points and six rebounds, while Jacob Dar facilitated the offense with three assists. Adam Clark, in a team-high 24 minutes, added eight points and two assists.

For Saint Peter’s, the offensive struggles were pervasive. The team managed only 14 field goals on the evening. TJ Robinson was the lone Peacock to reach double figures, finishing with 11 points and three rebounds. J’Quan Ewing provided a bright spot on the glass, hauling in a game-high eight rebounds, but the team’s overall inability to generate consistent offense against Seton Hall’s length and activity proved insurmountable.

The statistical sheet told a comprehensive story of Seton Hall’s dominance. The Pirates were more efficient from the field, shooting 46.7 percent compared to Saint Peter’s 27.5 percent. While both teams had similar success from three-point range, the defining disparity came at the free-throw line. Seton Hall attempted 36 free throws, making 30, while Saint Peter’s went 16 for 22 from the line.

Seton Hall also excelled in ball security and distribution, committing only eight turnovers while dishing out nine assists. Defensively, they were relentless, racking up nine steals and an impressive nine blocked shots, with Hines accounting for six of them. Saint Peter’s, by contrast, turned the ball over 12 times and managed just five assists as a team.

With the victory, Seton Hall begins its season with a record of 1-0. The Pirates are scheduled to return to action quickly, hosting the Wagner Seahawks at Prudential Center on Friday.

Saint Peter’s starts its campaign 0-1 and will look to rebound in its home opener against Fairleigh Dickinson on Saturday.

The game’s outcome aligned with pregame projections, as Seton Hall was installed as a 15-point favorite. The combined score of 127 points narrowly exceeded the pregame over/under line of 129. According to Interstat’s ELO system, the Pirates entered the game with an 88 percent probability of victory, a forecast they fulfilled with a commanding wire-to-wire performance.