There was just a little over 8:30 left in the men’s basketball team’s opening game, with the Pirates clinging to a 47-42 lead against Mercer.
Mobley/Seton Hall Athletics
But a three-ball from Brandon Mobley put the ax on the Bears’ comeback attempt, and gave the Pirates enough breathing room en route to a 63-47 victory.
It was in fact, veteran leadership that put the Pirates over the top in the first game of the 2014-15 campaign. And when the highly-anticipated freshmen failed to give the Pirates the support they were looking for, veterans like Mobley took over.
“He’s matured and he’s gone through ups and downs,” head coach Kevin Willard said after the game. “He realizes this is his time.”
Sunday was just that for Mobley, whose 19 points on 7-9 shooting carried the Pirates to victory. The senior added nine total rebounds in the contest.
The freshmen shot just 5-26 from the field in their first collegiate action, making Mobley’s presence even more crucial. Mobley commented postgame about how his leadership on the floor factors into his game.
“It factors in a lot because the exhibition game is over, this is the real thing this is where it counts,” Mobley said. “So I tell them to just stay focused, just trust in the game plan. I told Isaiah (Whitehead) when he was missing, “You’re one of the best players in the country, just keep shooting.”
Within those freshmen struggles, the highly-touted Whitehead shot just 1-10 from the field, tallying just two points in his debut, leading coach Willard to be very critical about his top-recruit after the game.
“I thought Isaiah played terrible,” Willard said. “He’s going to understand though his opportunities, but also that he has a target on his back.”
If it is any consolation, Willard added that Whitehead was “the happiest kid” in the locker room after the victory.
The Pirates got strong performances out of other veterans Sterling Gibbs and Jaren Sina in the win.
Gibbs added 17 points and five assists in the win. Sina finished with nine points, all coming from three-point shots.
“Jaren’s a rock,” Willard said of his second-year guard. “Jaren’s defense has improved tremendously from a year ago. He plays 30 minutes and I know he’s going to get ten points.”
Another bright spot for the Pirates was the high intensity they received from freshman forward Angel Delgado. Delgado only scored eight points, but his 12 total rebounds led all players and his domination in the paint was unmatched.
“Angel (Delgado) is Dennis Rodman,” Willard said. “He keeps balls alive. I don’t know a coach that wouldn’t want him.”
From here, the 1-0 Pirates head down to St. Thomas to partake in the U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam. The team will open up play on Friday, Nov. 21 against Nevada at 4 p.m.
“I’m looking forward to reading scouting reports on the beach,” Willard joked.
David Heim can be reached at david.heim@student.shu.edu or on twitter @davidheim12.
