By Lindsey Miller, CNN Staff Writer
NEWARK, New Jersey (CNN) – Seton Hall scored 12 straight points and an 18-3 run in the first five minutes of the second half, sending the Pirates to an 84-70 victory over Bethune-Cookman in their opening-round game of the Barclays Center Classic on Friday.
Myles Powell and Desi Rodriguez led the Pirates with 19 points apiece and Myles Cale added 16 points and 13 rebounds.
Bethune-Cookman (4-1) was led by Stanford Wheeler with 22 points.
Seton Hall (5-0) plays defending national champion Villanova in the semifinals of the tournament on Saturday.
The Pirates opened up a 20-point lead in the first half and had a 16-point advantage at the half.
But the Pirates didn’t completely dominate the Wildcats.
Seton Hall opened the second half on a 15-0 run. It was able to maintain the lead the rest of the way.
The Pirates were 9-for-9 from the free throw line in the second half.
Bethune-Cookman shot 35 percent for the game.
The Pirates shot 52 percent.