Newark, NJ – This game was crucial for Seton Hall and their hopes of becoming regular-season Big East Champions, as a buzzer-beater by Sandro Mamukelashvili won it to lift them to a 74-72. Seton Hall rallied back after a bad first half, where they trailed by 6 at the break. Quincy McKnight led the way with 18, Myles Powell chipped in 16, and Mamukelashvili and Romero Gill added 15 apiece. Kamar Baldwin led all scorers with 20 in a losing effort.
A heartwarming storyline emerged from the game, as Mamukelashvili’s father, flew from the country Georgia, just to watch his son play for the second time in a Pirates uniform. The father was also a cancer survivor making this a memorable night for the Mamukelashvili family. Sandro, speaking of his winning bucket in front of his father said, “ It feels amazing, my father is in the crowd so I feel making him proud is the biggest thing I could do.”
Up next for the Pirates is a home game against St. John’s, a bit of am easier test after this tough run of games. For Butler, it only gets harder as they travel to Omaha to take on what seems to be the hottest team in the conference, Creighton.
Bracketology Effect: Both teams remain without change as Butler stays at the 4 line in the Midwest, and Seton Hall sticks to the 3 seed in the East Region.
Betting Effect: Covered Butler +5, Over 135