Delgado, Karlis heroics help Seton Hall end six-game skid

NEWARK – It takes a village to stop a month-long losing streak. On Saturday, Seton Hall men’s basketball pooled contributions from likely and unlikely sources to rally past Creighton 67-66 at the Prudential Center.

Freshman Angel Delgado’s put-back with 15 seconds left provided the winning points, boosting the big man’s bid to become Big East Rookie of the Year.

Seldom-used senior Haralds Karlis came off the bench to deliver a career-best effort, posting 14 points on 4-of-6 shooting to keep the Pirates in it after Creighton opened a 14-point first-half lead.

And head coach Kevin Willard, who took withering criticism as Seton Hall (16-12 overall, 6-10 Big East) lost six straight to drop from NCAA Tournament contention to the NIT bubble, shook up his players with a fiery halftime exhortation.

“Coach Willard said not-so-nice words,” senior forward Brandon Mobley said. “It’s good though. Sometimes that’s what it takes, and everybody got the message, clearly.”

Karlis didn’t need it. Though he came in averaging just 2.2 points, the wing scored nine before halftime to keep the Pirates within shouting distance at 34-24.

“This is the best feeling in the world,” he said. “This was probably the best game I ever played in my life.”

Karlis credited an encouraging phone call from former Hall assistant Steve Sauers.

“He said, ‘Stay positive and work hard and your time will come,’” Karlis said. “So I was ready.”

Afterward, Mobley was beaming when asked about his classmate.

“I love Haralds to death. There’s a guy who never complains. He doesn’t care if he plays two seconds -- he’s going to go out there and give it all he’s got,” Mobley said. “I knew when his number was called he would go out and do what Haralds does. I didn’t know he would stay in the game and have such a pivotal role. But he stepped up -- he did what seniors do.”

Mobley did his part. With Creighton (13-16, 4-12) up five and under three minutes remaining, he blocked a drive and ignited a 6-0 run -- all six points were scored by freshman Khadeen Carrington -- that gave the Hall its first lead of the night.

After Creighton star Austin Chatman (23 points) put his team back up one on a jumper with 29 seconds left, Delgado had the last word. He put back a missed layup by freshman Isaiah Whitehead, capping a 13-point, 11-rebound effort.

“I thought we had it covered, but he’s the best rebounder in our league for a reason,” Creighton coach Greg McDermott said. “Because he goes and makes an effort every time the ball goes to the rim.”

The finished marked a 180-degree turnaround for Delgado, who spent much of the first half visibly upset on the bench.

“Angel is emotional,” Willard said. “He got scored on twice and he missed two shots . . . when he gets down, he gets down.”

Delgado credited Willard with his resurgence.

“Coach woke me up,” he said of the halftime speech. “I’m so proud to have a coach like that. When you’re down, he’s not going down with you.”

It should be noted that Seton Hall played without star guard Sterling Gibbs (16 ppg), who wrapped up his two-game suspension for hitting a Villanova player in the head Feb. 16. Gibbs bedeviled Creighton when these teams met in Omaha, Neb. Jan. 10, scoring 22 points and hitting the game-winning 3-pointer in a 68-67 Pirate victory.

At that point the Hall was 13-3 and seemed destined for the NCAA Tournament.

Now the NIT is the most reasonable destination, and this verdict keeps those hopes alive. Up next for the Pirates is Senior Night against Providence Wednesday and a trip to Georgetown next Saturday, followed by the Big East Tournament.

“We’ve still got life left in us,” Mobley said. “It’s not over by a long shot. We still can make a push. Like coach says, it starts with one win.”

Staff writer Jerry Carino: jcarino@gannett.com.

CREIGHTON (13-16): Chatman 9-18 0-0 23, Kreklow 2-3 1-1 6, Milliken 2-12 0-0 5, Hegner 0-1 0-0 0, Groselle 5-8 1-2 11, Brooks 3-10 4-4 11, Clement 0-0 0-0 0, Dingman 3-9 0-0 6, Artino 1-2 0-1 2, Hanson 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 26-64 6-8 66.

SETON HALL (16-12): Carrington 4-8 4-4 13, Mobley 4-6 0-0 9, Whitehead 4-12 0-0 8, Delgado 6-13 1-2 13, Manga 0-5 0-0 0, Karlis 4-6 3-4 14, Rodriguez 4-7 0-0 8, Anthony 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 27-58 8-10 67.

Halftime—Creighton 34-24. 3-Point Goals—Creighton 8-23 (Chatman 5-9, Kreklow 1-1, Milliken 1-4, Brooks 1-5, Hegner 0-1, Dingman 0-3), Seton Hall 5-11 (Karlis 3-5, Carrington 1-1, Mobley 1-2, Whitehead 0-3). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Creighton 31 (Dingman, Groselle 8), Seton Hall 41 (Delgado 11). Assists—Creighton 14 (Brooks, Kreklow 4), Seton Hall 14 (Whitehead 7). Total Fouls—Creighton 13, Seton Hall 14. A—8,507.