NEWARK, N.J. -- Desi Rodriguez had career-highs of 27 points and 12 rebounds and Seton Hall all but clinched its first NCAA Tournament berth in a decade with a stunning 90-81 victory over No. 5 Xavier on Sunday.
Isaiah Whitehead had 22 points, Angel Delgado added 17 and the Pirates (21-7, 11-5 Big East) used a suffocating defense in knocking off Xavier (25-4, 13-4), just four days after it upset No. 1 Villanova.
The Pirates, who have not been the NCAA Tournament since 2006, had a season-high point total and shot 50 percent from the field in winning their fourth straight and eighth of nine.