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  Wednesday, Dec. 27 12:00pm ET
Griffin's double-double lifts Seton Hall
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- One week away from its Big East opener, Seton Hall is still struggling to beat teams it should beat, and coach Tommy Amaker is concerned.

Eddie Griffin
Seton Hall's Eddie Griffin blocks a shot -- one of four for the game -- in the first half against Hartford.
Eddie Griffin scored 21 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and blocked four shots Wednesday as the Pirates (No. 12 ESPN/USA Today, No. 11 Associated Press) pulled away from stubborn Hartford in the second half for an 85-67 victory.

But when asked after the game if he thought the Pirates were ready for Big East play, Amaker replied: "No, I don't."

"I think we're going to be a little surprised as to how much tougher it's going to be," he said. "The competition will be comparable to Illinois, Michigan State (the Pirates' two losses) and Clemson (a one-point victory). The games will be intense.

"I think our habits and discipline have a long way to go, and when you get into the thick of Big East play those things are easily exposed."

Griffin, the talented 6-foot-9 freshman, said Seton Hall has had difficulty putting teams away but felt certain the Pirates will be ready for the conference opener in Providence next Wednesday.

"We've had that problem all year," Griffin said when asked about the Hall's inability to put Hartford away early. "We get ahead and then get lackadaisical. I don't know why. But we're a good team and when the Big East season begins we'll be ready."

Leading 45-34 at the half, the Pirates (8-2) opened the second half outscoring the Hawks 15-8, with Darius Lane getting nine points.

But Hartford (2-7) closed within 63-55 on Todd Jones' jumper with 9:10 remaining before Andre Barrett scored six of the next nine points to ignite a 14-2 run that gave Seton Hall a 77-57 lead.

"There's a little tarnish in spots right now," Lane said. "We're still polishing things up. We'll be ready when the bell rings."

Hartford coach Larry Harrison, who helped recruit Danny Fortson and Kenyon Martin to Cincinnati, was quick to point out how well-balanced and talented Seton Hall is.

"With them you pick your poison," said Harrison. "In the first half we did a good job and held Lane to three points. But he ended up with 17. Griffin is very talented but I think Lane is the key to their team."

The Pirates struggled early, trailing 24-19 with 9:36 to play in the first half. But Seton Hall responded with an 18-3 run that included eight points by Barrett and six by Griffin to take a 37-27 lead.

Lane finished with 17 points, while Barrett added 16 and seven assists, and Marcus Toney-El scored 12. Mantas Storpirstis led Hartford with 17.
 


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