Seton Hall’s Dre Davis scored a layup with 16 seconds remaining to secure a 79-77 victory over Indiana State in the NIT championship game, giving the Pirates their first NIT title since 1953. Seton Hall scored the final nine points of the game to erase a seven-point deficit, with Al-Amir Dawes leading the team with 24 points and being named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. Kadary Richmond also had a strong performance with 21 points and 13 rebounds, contributing to Seton Hall’s fifth straight win at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
Indiana State’s Isaiah Swope scored 19 points, with 16 coming in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to secure the victory for the Sycamores as Seton Hall mounted a late comeback. Julian Larry added 18 points for Indiana State, while Jayson Kent and Robbie Avila each scored 13 points. Despite holding a seven-point lead with just under three minutes remaining, Indiana State was unable to hold off Seton Hall’s late surge, ultimately falling short of claiming their first national postseason title since 1950.
The home-state crowd at Hinkle Fieldhouse was prepared to celebrate Indiana State’s victory when Swope’s three-pointer gave them a seven-point lead with less than three minutes remaining. However, Seton Hall rallied back, tying the game on Dawes’ three-pointer with under a minute remaining and ultimately taking the lead on Davis’ layup. Indiana State had three opportunities to win the game in the final seconds, but Seton Hall’s defense held strong, securing the victory for the Pirates.
Coach Shaheen Holloway led Seton Hall to the NIT championship, adding to his successful postseason track record in Indianapolis. Previously, he had guided Saint Peter’s to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 with wins over top teams like Kentucky and Murray State. This victory in the NIT championship added to Seton Hall’s historic season and marked a significant milestone for the program.
Despite the loss, Indiana State put up a strong fight, with Swope leading the team in scoring and Larry contributing offensively as well. The Sycamores fell just short of claiming their first national postseason title in over 70 years, but their performance throughout the tournament was commendable. Seton Hall’s resilience and determination in the final minutes ultimately proved to be the difference in the game, securing them the championship title.
The NIT championship game between Seton Hall and Indiana State was a thrilling matchup that came down to the final seconds. Seton Hall’s late-game heroics, led by Davis, Dawes, and Richmond, allowed them to erase a seven-point deficit and secure the victory. Indiana State put up a strong fight, but ultimately fell short in their quest for a national postseason title. The performances of key players on both teams, as well as the back-and-forth nature of the game, made for an exciting conclusion to the NIT tournament.
