It was a back and forth battle out of the gate, as Seton Hall and Xavier traded makes on the first eight possessions of the game. Four baskets for Xavier yielded them nine points, while Seton Hall got 10.
However, three straight turnovers for Seton Hall allowed Xavier to take the lead, 13-10, with 15:47 remaining in the first half.
Xavier made a run to extend the lead to 19-13, but a nearly four minute stretch without a field goal allowed Seton Hall to get back within one, 19-18. A Zach Hankins dunk broke the drought and gave Xavier a 21-18 lead with 11:53 remaining in the first half.