It wasn’t pretty but they’ll take it.
Seton Hall overcame an ugly start in its 2021-22 season-opener against Fairleigh Dickinson to prevail, 93-49, at Prudential Center to start the campaign 1-0.
Brooklyn Nets guard and New Jersey native Kyrie Irving made a surprise appearance at the game and sat courtside. Irving is currently banned from the Nets because he’s not vaccinated against COVID-19. He wore a mask throughout the game.
Junior forward Tyrese Samuel was the big star for the Pirates, finishing with 19 points and 11 rebounds, including a transition dunk in garbage time that fired up the crowd.
Bryce Aiken looked healthy getting up and down the court after battling ankle and knee injuries last season and scored 15 points in 18 minutes off the bench. Myles Cale added 15 points, six rebounds and two assists -- including his 1,000th career point on a free throw in the second half. And Jamir Harris was 4-of-8 from deep en route to 13 points. Tray Jackson was very active and aggressive off the bench with 12 points and six boards, while Jahari Long got some good minutes as the backup point guard, dishing five assists.
“I enjoyed being back out here with the guys, it was an electric atmosphere. Great student turnout,” Aiken said.
The Pirates played without senior wing Jared Rhoden (ankle), who had sat on the bench in street clothes but without the boot he wore last week during the exhibition.
The Pirates started the game shooting 2-of-10 and head coach Kevin Willard pulled three of his starters -- Cale, Kadary Richmond and Ike Obiagu -- within the first five minutes. Richmond, the Syracuse transfer, fouled out in the second half with four points, six rebounds, one assist and two turnovers.
But after shuffling the lineup and bringing in Aiken, things began to jell and the Pirates offense started to look competent. Tray Jackson had a follow dunk and a nifty reverse layup in the first half to extend the Pirates lead to 20-13. They led 40-20 at the break when Aiken had 10 points, Cale had nine and Samuel seven.
Junior guard Brandon Rush led FDU with 19 points.
The Pirates next host Yale on Sunday at Prudential Center before traveling to face No. 6 Michigan Tuesday night in the Gavitt Tip-Off Games.
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Adam Zagoria is a freelance reporter who covers Seton Hall and NJ college basketball for NJ Advance Media.