More than a few notable teams opted out of the NIT after missing the NCAA Tournament, but Indiana State and Seton Hall were two programs who participated in the event hoping to prove the selection committee wrong. That’s exactly what they have done.
Robbie Avila and Indiana State took down Utah in the semifinals Tuesday, with Avila scoring 26 of the Sycamores’ 100 points in a terrific offensive effort by Josh Schertz’s team.
Seton Hall coach Shaheen Holloway is no stranger to catching fire in March, and the Pirates have won each of their last three games by 14 or more points after falling short of the big dance.
MORE: Will Robbie Avila go to the NBA? | Best of Robbie Avila’s nicknames
All eyes will be on Avila when Indiana State looks to win the NIT on Thursday, but the Sycamores will have to deal with a balanced Seton Hall attack. Five Pirates have scored in double figures in each of Seton Hall’s last two games, and Al-Amir Dawes has come up huge with three 20-point performances in the NIT.
No team wants to settle for the NIT, but both Indiana State and Seton Hall have embraced the opportunity and played with a chip on their shoulders. Only one can end the season with a win Thursday.
The Sporting News tracked live scoring updates and highlights from the 2024 NIT championship game between Indiana State and Seton Hall. Check out all of the key moments you might have missed from the Pirates’ win.
STREAM: Watch the 2024 NIT championship game live with Sling
Indiana State vs. Seton Hall final score
| 1 | 2 | F | |
| Indiana State | 39 | 38 | 77 |
| Seton Hall | 39 | 40 | 79 |
Indiana State vs. Seton Hall updates, results highlights from 2024 NIT championship
(All times Eastern)
Final: Seton Hall 79, Indiana State 77
9:13 p.m. — SETON HALL HOLDS ON! Indiana State has two 3-point attempts blocked on the final possession, and a third try from long range comes up inches short. The Pirates finish on a 9-0 run to overcome a late 77-70 deficit and win the NIT.
Seton Hall holds off Indiana State in a wild finish at Hinkle Fieldhouse to win the NIT Championship!
The Pirates finished on a 9-0 run to secure the title. 🏀🏴☠️ pic.twitter.com/4Zaf10cb63
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) April 5, 2024
9:11 p.m. — Dre Davis comes through with a layup to give Seton Hall the lead! This has been an unbelievable stretch for the Pirates, who are outscoring Indiana State 9-0 since the under-4 timeout. Indiana State calls timeout and will have eight seconds to tie or win the game.
DRE DAVIS FOR THE WIN🔥🧅
THE FIRST NIT CHAMPIONSHIP FOR SETON HALL SINCE 1953‼️🏆
pic.twitter.com/aQzs1pV5JX— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) April 5, 2024
9:08 p.m. — A game of runs! Dawes makes it a one-possession game with free throws, gets the rebound after Avila misses a three, and then ties the game at 77 with a three of his own! What a night for Dawes with 24 points, and what a finish coming up.
9:01 p.m. — What a run! Isaiah Swope drills a three to extend Indiana State’s lead to seven. The Sycamores go from down one to up seven in less than 80 seconds, and they are in control with 2:54 remaining.
THE SYCAMORES ARE SURGING@IndStBasketball x #NIT2024
📺 ESPN / ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/SrMQES1hE7
— NIT (@NITMBB) April 5, 2024
8:59 p.m. — And now some separation: Ryan Conwell drills a three to put Indiana State up by four with under four minutes remaining.
8:58 p.m. — Avila finds Jayson Kent to take the lead back for the Sycamores. It’s 71-70, Indiana State.
8:54 p.m. — A beautiful move by Dawes under the rim ties the game at 67. Dawes has 19 points for the Pirates.
8:46 p.m. — Indiana State takes the lead! Larry drills his fourth 3-pointer of the night, and Holloway instantly takes a timeout while the crowd erupts.
FOR THE LEAD!@IndStBasketball x #NIT2024
📺 ESPN / ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/gGFfBao8Mu
— NIT (@NITMBB) April 5, 2024
8:40 p.m. — Kadary Richmond commits an offensive foul ahead of the under-12 timeout, keeping Seton Hall’s lead at just three points. It should be a fun final 11 minutes from Indianapolis, with the crowd decisively encouraging an Indiana State comeback.
8:38 p.m. — Avila is starting to find a rhythm as he goes to the basket and scores. Indiana State still trails by a possession.
The Sycamores just keep swinging back.@IndStBasketball x #NIT2024
📺 ESPN / ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/s4nDEKR9Ef
— NIT (@NITMBB) April 5, 2024
8:30 p.m. — Avila drills his second three of the night, and Indiana State will have a chance to tie or even take the lead on the other end of a timeout.
8:27 p.m. — Holloway is frustrated after a goaltending calls goes against Seton Hall and makes this a five-point game. That was a close one.
8:20 p.m. — This has been a game of runs, and it’s Seton Hall’s turn as the Pirates open the second half on a 12-3 run to regain control.
End of first half: Indiana State 39, Seton Hall 39
7:58 p.m. — This game is TIED. Indiana State’s defense has turned up the heat, and the offense is cashing in with Larry the biggest factor. It’s 39-39 at the break.
7:56 p.m. — Larry hits another three to put Indiana State right back in this game! It’s 39-35, Seton Hall.
7:55 p.m. — Julian Larry drills a three to trim Indiana State’s deficit to seven, and Dre Davis is called for an offensive foul on the other end. Here’s a chance for the Sycamores as halftime nears…
Sycamores getting back into it before half. Buckle up.@IndStBasketball x #NIT2024
📺 ESPN / ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/bzklEL0I8H
— NIT (@NITMBB) April 4, 2024
7:45 p.m. — Seton Hall is up by nine with a chance to extend that lead to 10 if Kadary Richmond completes the potential three-point play. Indiana State has missed its last four 3-point tries and hasn’t been able to find the offense elsewhere. Avila has only five points.
7:35 p.m. — Indiana State has now committed nine turnovers to Seton Hall’s two. The three ball is all that’s keeping the Sycamores in the game at this point.
7:32 p.m. — Seton Hall pulls back in front by two, and now Al-Amir Dawes gets fouled behind the 3-point line and will have a chance to make this a two-possession game approaching the under-8 timeout.
7:24 p.m. — And now eight points in a row for Indiana State! The Sycamores are 4-of-7 from three, and they have an opportunity to finish off an and-one after the under-12 timeout.
Off the bench and immediately making an impact.@IndStBasketball x #NIT2024
📺 ESPN / ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/p1RmXYLDq6
— NIT (@NITMBB) April 4, 2024
7:18 p.m. — Seton Hall has scored seven in a row since briefly giving up the lead, including a nice job by Dylan Addae-Wusu to beat Avila and get to the rim. It’s been a balanced attack for the Pirates so far.
7:12 p.m. — Avila drills a three, and that’s Indiana State’s second three of the night after Isaiah Swope drilled out. The Sycamores still trail 9-8 at the under-16 timeout.
Milk Chamberlain gets the crowd going early. @IndStBasketball x #NIT2024
📺 ESPN / ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/uaRu6zZsDT
— NIT (@NITMBB) April 4, 2024
7:05 p.m. — Indiana State tries to find Avila under the basket, but he struggles to handle it and turns it over. Seton Hall is up 4-2 in the early minutes.
6:59 p.m. — Getting closer to tip-off as two fun teams play for an NIT title in a historic building…it’s hard not to respect the fact that both Indiana State and Seton Hall chose to keep playing after so many teams pulled out of the NIT.
6:48 p.m. — This could be the final game at Indiana State for coach Josh Schertz, who was reported to be a target of Saint Louis’ coaching search in March. The Billikens’ search has been silent ever since, indicating they might know Schertz is their guy.
6:29 p.m. — It’s also the final ride for a fun group under Shaheen Holloway, who will go into year three with something to prove after what he felt was an NCAA Tournament snub.
Let’s do it once more#HALLin 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/CQ6uWH2LZT
— Seton Hall Men’s Basketball (@SetonHallMBB) April 4, 2024
6:20 p.m. — Here’s the hype video for Indiana State, which will play in front of a sold-out Hinkle Fieldhouse tonight.
One more. #MarchOn | #Kaizen | #NIT2024 pic.twitter.com/3v9Mt78Q7A
— Indiana State Basketball (@IndStBasketball) April 4, 2024
Indiana State vs. Seton Hall start time
- Date: Thursday, April 4
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
The 2024 NIT championship game between Indiana State and Seton Hall is set to tip off from Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, In. at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 4.
How to watch Indiana State vs. Seton Hall
- TV channel: ESPN
- Stream: Sling
Fans can tune into the NIT championship game on ESPN at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 4. Cord-cutters can stream the game on Sling.
