The fourth-seeded Pirates were pounded and pummeled by sixth-seeded Georgetown but never backed off in their 74-62 victory before 19,081 fans at Madison Square Garden.
This was the first championship game for Seton Hall (22-8) and the seventh for the Hoyas, who had won their previous six.
And Georgetown (18-12), which had entered the tournament fearful of not getting an NCAA tournament bid, came out kicking and screaming, scratching and pulling.
Woe to any Pirate who thought he was headed for an uncontested layup,
because he was always tackled, usually by the snarling Alonzo Mourning. Before five minutes were gone, Mourning had Seton Hall forward Gordon Winchester, who usually finds talking more painful than a root canal, talking trash on the free-throw line.
And when Mourning slammed Seton Hall guard Terry Dehere to prevent a layup, Mourning gave Dehere a swift and unobtrusive little kick. Unfortunately, that took place in front of the Seton Hall student section and nearly caused a riot.
The Pirates, though, kept their poise. And they have more balance than the Hoyas, who dominate inside.
Pirates coach P.J. Carlesimo has the best of both offensive worlds in the 6-foot-10 Avent, blessed with a body more solid than a dump truck and stronger too, and guards Taylor (the tournament most valuable player) and Dehere.
"They have a very nice inside-outside combination," Georgetown coach John Thompson said. "It's very difficult to try and stop Avent and contain the guards. Dehere can take over a game at any time and Taylor is now coming off a great Big East tournament."
Yesterday, the Pirates used their inside-outside combination to great effect. Dehere finished with 16 points and Avent and Taylor scored 15 each.
The Pirates also love to play defense. "It's our favorite thing, really," Avent said. "It's something that is our constant."
