Pirates likely lock up NCAAs

So much for those Butler demons. Seton Hall trailed by double figures late in the second half against the 13thranked Bulldogs — their personal tormentors — but erased all the recent bad memories against them with a furious rally to cement their NCAA Tournament status.

Seton Hall beat Butler for just the second time in nine tries since they joined the new Big East four years ago, rallying for a 70-64 win at Hinkle Fieldhouse on Saturday afternoon for its seventh win in nine games.

With the victory, Seton Hall (20-10, 10-8 Big East) clinched the fifth seed in the upcoming Big East Tournament, and will meet No. 4 Marquette in the quarterfinals Thursday at 2:30 p.m. The two teams split a pair of regular season matchups, each team winning on the other’s home court.

Most importantly, the Pirates almost certainly locked up a second straight NCAA Tournament bid for the first time since a string of four straight from 1991-94 with the signature road victory.

“It’s been a battle to get to where we’ve gotten, but I give this group a lot of credit for believing in each other and believing in the program,” Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard said in a phone interview shortly after the victory. “This group has really wanted to leave its mark, and I’m awfully proud of the belief they have in each other.”

Junior Desi Rodriguez led the way with 21 points, five rebounds and three assists, and Angel Delgado, another of the core juniors, continued to state his case as one of the nation’s best big men. He dominated with 20 points, 16 rebounds and four assists to make up for the absence of junior forward Ismael Sanogo (ankle).