The Seton Corridor Pirates staged a livid comeback within the closing minutes in opposition to Indiana State on Thursday night time to win the 2024 males’s NIT championship. When the ultimate buzzer sounded, Seton Corridor head coach Shaheen Holloway consoled Sycamores sophomore star Robbie Avila in a gesture that warmed the hearts of anybody watching at house.
Seton Corridor defeated Indiana State 79-77 in a dramatic conclusion to an exciting NIT bracket. The Pirates closed the sport on a 9-0 to win it. It was a heartbreaking loss for a Sycamores group that was basically enjoying a impartial web site recreation in entrance of a house crowd at Indianapolis’ Hinkle Fieldhouse. Indiana State knew it was their final likelihood to win a significant title with this group, they usually got here up simply quick.
Indiana State coach Josh Schertz has accepted the top teaching job at St. Louis, in response to stories. What occurs to the Avila and the remainder of the roster subsequent 12 months is anybody’s guess.
Avila regarded utterly dejected after the sport, however Holloway approached him and advised him to maintain his head up. This second went viral after the sport for a case of nice sportsmanship. Watch it right here:
#IndianaState actually let one slip away as Seton Corridor completed the sport with a 9-0 run. That is how Seton Corridor coach Shaheen Holloway approached Robbie “Steph Blurry” proper after the ultimate whistle although. #NIT Championship pic.twitter.com/qhL8KDqjvn
— Cody Chapman (@Cody_ChapmanMS) April 5, 2024
Indiana State guard Isaiah Swope sized his man, retreated his dribble backwards close to the halfcourt line, then charged ahead to confidently step right into a deep three-pointer. The shot swished by way of the web, the Sycamores held a seven-point lead over Seton Corridor within the NIT championship recreation with simply over three minutes to go.
Seton Corridor must play good basketball right down to the stretch to tug out the victory. In some way, they received it performed.
Seton Corridor star Kadary Richmond rebounded his layup and made the putback on the following possession after Swope’s three-ball. The Pirates added two extra factors on Al-Amir Dawes’ free throws. Dawes then made a clutch three-pointer with simply over a minute remaining in regulation to tie the sport. Dre Davis’ layup with 20 seconds left turned out to be the game-winning bucket.
Indiana State had supercharged the group at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis with its run to take management of the sport late within the second half. Their poor shot choice down the stretch took all of the air out of the constructing. Right here’s how Indiana State’s closing possessions went following Swope’s large shot:
- Robbie Avila missed three-pointer
- Isaiah Swope missed three-pointer
- Robbie Avila missed three-pointer
- Julian Larry missed three-pointer. Jayson Kent missed layup after an offensive rebound.
- Isaiah Swope missed three-pointer. Ryan Conwell missed three-pointer after an offensive rebound
It was all good for Indiana State only a few minutes earlier, with Swope’s three placing the group getting ready to a feel-good win after being ignored of the 2024 males’s NCAA match:
Seton Corridor and Indiana State had been the 2 greatest snubs within the discipline of 68. Each groups lacked sturdy sufficient resumes to be chosen for at-large bids within the eyes of the Choice Committee, although it’s laborious to belief their course of after they picked Virginia and others.
The NIT was an unimaginable match the complete manner, and the championship recreation supplied all of the drama you need in match basketball. Sadly for the Sycamores, somebody needed to lose.
Kadary Richmond led Seton Corridor with 21 factors, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, and two blocks within the recreation. Al-Amir Dawes scored a game-high 24 factors for the Pirates. Seton Corridor ends the season 25-12 of their second season underneath Shaheen Holloway. It was only some years in the past that Holloway and Saint Peter’s grew to become the darlings of March Insanity as a No. 15 seed that rolled to the Elite Eight. This Pirates group might have made some noise too if given the possibility.
It’s a heartbreaking ending for Indiana State. Avila had 13 factors, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists within the loss. Swope led the group with 19 factors.
