Powell helps Seton Hall beat DePaul 74-66

CHICAGO - Myles Powell scored 27 points in his return to the lineup, and Seton Hall beat DePaul 74-66 on Monday night in the Big East opener for each school.

Powell missed two games after he sustained a concussion during a 68-48 loss at Rutgers on Dec. 14. But the senior guard looked just fine against the Blue Demons, rallying the Pirates (9-4, 1-0) after a slow start.

Myles Cale had 16 points for Seton Hall, and Jared Rhoden finished with 10. The Pirates shot 52% (14 for 27) in the second half of their third straight victory.

Paul Reed had 17 points and nine rebounds for DePaul (12-2, 0-1), which won each of its meetings with Seton Hall last season by a combined five points. Charlie Moore had 13 points, but finished with eight turnovers.

Moore's two free throws gave the Blue Demons a 66-65 lead with 2:36 left, but the Pirates closed the game with a 9-0 run. Powell sparked the winning sequence with three free throws after he was fouled by Romeo Weems on a 3-point attempt.

Seton Hall committed 11 turnovers in the first half and trailed by as many as 10 before Powell made two foul shots with 4 seconds left to trim DePaul's lead to 37-31 at the break.

The Pirates then carried the momentum into the second half. Cale had a 3-pointer and a rebound basket during a 10-3 run that gave Seton Hall its first lead since the opening minutes at 48-45 with 14:21 left.

BIG PICTURE

Seton Hall: Powell's return provided the Pirates with a big lift. He went 7 for 15 from the floor and 11 for 15 from the line.

DePaul: The Blue Demons took some bad shots down the stretch and struggled when the Pirates turned up their intensity.

UP NEXT

Seton Hall hosts Georgetown on Friday night.

DePaul hosts Providence on Saturday.