Seton Hall catches fifth-ranked Xavier flat, locks up NCAA bid

Xavier forward Jalen Reynolds (1) and guard J.P. Macura (55) jump over Seton Hall forward Angel Delgado (31) under the basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, in Newark, N.J.

Five days after an emotional victory over the No. 1 ranked team in the country, Xavier endured a Villanova-induced hangover.

The fifth-ranked Musketeers suffered a one-sided 90-81 loss at Seton Hall that could damage their chances to earn a No. 1 seed.

Xavier surrendered the game's first nine points, trailed by 19 points at halftime and never mounted a serious charge in the second half. Too many first-half turnovers, too many ill-advised shots and too many missed box-outs doomed the Musketeers on the road against a rapidly improving Pirates team.

If Xavier had crept up to the No. 1 line on mock brackets after Wednesday's big win, this loss will send them tumbling back to the No. 2 line for now. The Musketeers (25-4, 13-4) probably need to win the Big East tournament to have a realistic shot at a No. 1 seed now.

It was undoubtedly difficult for Xavier to get amped up for a road game at Seton Hall after ending a six-game losing streak against Villanova earlier in the week, but don't sell the Pirates short. They've won eight of their past nine games to improve to 21-7 overall, to lock up an NCAA tournament bid and to validate athletic director Patrick Lyons' decision to exercise patience with embattled head coach Kevin Willard last spring.

In his first five seasons at Seton Hall, Willard never made the NCAA tournament or finished higher than a tie for seventh in the Big East. The 2014-15 Pirates lost 13 of their final 17 games after a 12-2 start, collapsing under the strain of locker room discord that led to the transfer of standout guards Sterling Gibbs and Jaren Sina.

Willard's expensive buyout and strong relationship with Lyons bought him a one-year reprieve, and he has made it count. Superior chemistry, a blossoming sophomore class and a renewed commitment to defense and rebounding has helped Seton Hall ascend to the point that it has a chance to earn a No. 7 or 8 seed in the NCAA tournament with a strong finish.

Desi Rodriguez and Angel Delgado were Seton Hall's stars on Sunday, scoring 44 points, ripping down 20 rebounds and creating numerous second-chance opportunities. Seton Hall's top scorer Isaiah Whitehead put up 22 points, but he shot just 5-for-15 from the field and committed eight turnovers.

That Seton Hall could win with ease despite a below-average game from Whitehead shows the growth of the program this season.

Xavier may have suffered a Villanova-induced hangover, but credit Seton Hall for taking full advantage.