Seton Hall Ousts Knight, Indiana in a 78-65 Surprise

Andrew Gaze accounted for four of Seton Hall’s eight 3-point baskets, and the Pirates upended Indiana, 78-65, Thursday night in NCAA tournament West Regional play.

Seton Hall, 29-6, advances to the regional final Saturday against the winner of the Arizona-Nevada-Las Vegas game later Thursday.

The Pirates’ superior rebounding and inside offense proved to be the difference against an Indiana team that had to be content with shooting from the perimeter most of the night.

Hoosier guard Jay Edwards had 16 of his 18 points in the second half, helping rally Indiana from a 12-point deficit early in the second half to within 54-51 with 8:16 left.

But Indiana could get no closer. Seton Hall guard John Morton, who wound up as the Pirates’ leading scorer with 17 points, hit six free throws down the stretch. After Edwards had cut the deficit to 60-56 on two free throws, Seton Hall’s Gerald Greene countered with two free throws and Ramon Ramos hit a turnaround inside for a 64-56 advantage.

Joe Hillman’s 3-pointer got the Hoosiers within 68-63 with 2:16 left, but two free throws by Ramos, a fast-break basket by Gaze and Morton’s pair from the line made it 74-63.

Gaze finished with 16 points, Greene 15 and Ramos 12 for the winners.

Freshman Eric Anderson had 13 points, 11 of those in the first half, and Hillman had 12 for Indiana.