Adam “Budd” Clark racked up a season-high 31 points and eight assists, AJ Staton-McCray added 18 points and Seton Hall clawed past the Providence Friars, 87-80, on Wednesday, Feb. 11, in Newark, N.J.
Twenty-one of Clark’s points were scored in the second half as the Pirates (17-8, 7-7 Big East) ended the Friars’ two-game winning streak and their own two-game slide.
Clark made 11 of 16 shots, 10 of 14 from inside the arc, and two of his five steals were made in the closing seconds on last-ditch Providence efforts. Tajuan Simpkins had 13 points as the Pirates shot 50.8% overall, including 58.6% in the second half.
“He was spectacular,” Providence head coach Kim English said about Clark. “He looked like Chris Paul.”
Jaylin Sellers had 23 points, six rebounds and four assists and Stefan Vaaks added 20 points for Providence (11-14, 4-10). Both players made five 3-pointers as the Friars lost despite a 14-for-34 effort from outside the arc.
Providence, which made 5 of 23 3-point attempts in its first meeting with Seton Hall, sank five in a row in the opening minutes Wednesday. Corey Floyd Jr., Duncan Powell, Sellers, Vaaks and Jason Edwards all got in on the action. Soon a quick five-point run made it 22-14 Friars and prompted a Seton Hall timeout.
Staton-McCray and Clark each scored an efficient 10 points in the half to bring Seton Hall within 43-39 at intermission.
Vaaks opened the second half with a 3-pointer, but Clark’s four quick points erased that. Shortly afterward, Simpkins followed a triple at the 16-minute mark with a pair of foul shots 16 seconds later, tying the game for Seton Hall for the first of three occasions.
Turnovers plague Providence once again.
“Eighteen turnovers, you have no chance on the road,” English said.
Providence’s defense finally broke when Clark, playing with three fouls, hit two tough, midrange jumpers to forge and then break a 55-55 tie, giving the Pirates their first lead with 12:15 to go. He made it a personal 6-0 run on a steal and score.
Clark assisted buckets by Trey Parker and Godswill Erheriene, and Parker broke out in transition off a defensive rebound and fed Simpkins for a dunk that made it 65-60 with 8:57 to play.
Simpkins then snagged his own steal off a booted ball by Edwards and set up Staton-McCray for a fast-break bucket and a 73-65 lead.
Clark stayed in the game even after being whistled for his fourth foul. His three-point play at the 2:03 mark gave the Pirates a nine-point lead and essentially iced the game.
The Friars return home for a Saturday tip against No. 17 St. John’s at the Amica Mutual Pavilion at 1 p.m.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence basketball falls to Seton Hall 87-80 on Feb. 11, 2026