If there was ever going to be a Seton Hall team to snap its 26-year losing streak at Villanova, it’s this one.
The Pirates found themselves at a crossroads with 9:41 remaining. Myles Powell picked up his fourth foul, sending him to the bench with Seton Hall holding a slim 46-42 lead. Faced with their star on the bench, Quincy McKnight battling foul trouble of his own and a raucous Villanova crowd, the Pirates could have folded and allowed the Wildcats to rip off a game-ending run.
Sandro Mamukelashvili had other ideas, though.
Seton Hall’s junior power forward stepped up big-time down the stretch in only his third game since returning from a broken wrist, leading the charge with Powell on the bench.