Al-Amir Dawes led a balanced attack with 15 points and Seton Hall capitalized on 70 percent shooting in the first half to cruise to a 96-71 victory over Albany on Wednesday in Newark, N.J.

The Pirates (3-0) shot 36-of-58 overall, 62.1 percent, for the night, including 31-of-44 inside the arc, 70.5 percent, and poured in 58 points in the paint. They went a blistering 21-for-30 from the floor in the first half and maintained a double-digit lead for over 31 minutes.

Kadary Richmond scored 13 points for Seton Hall, and Isaiah Coleman had 13 points and a game-high eight rebounds off the bench. Jaden Bediako tallied 11 points and reserve Jaquan Sanders added 10.

Amar’e Marshall had 21 points and six rebounds to power Albany (1-2). Aaron Reddish scored 12 points.

The Great Danes lost 13 turnovers that Seton Hall converted into 22 points.

Marshall made two 3-pointers in the game’s first minute to help Albany take a 7-2 lead, but Seton Hall quickly moved in front for good.

Dylan Addae-Wusu knocked down a 3-pointer for an 18-point Seton Hall lead with 4:03 left in the half, and the Pirates went to the locker room up 54-39.

Richmond was a perfect 6-for-6 in the half to account for his 13 points. Albany made six triples in the half to stay alive.

The Pirates took their first 20-point lead when Sanders made a 3-pointer, and Dawes followed with a steal and fast-break bucket. It was 63-43 with 15:53 to play, and the Great Danes would not get closer than 15 points the rest of the game.

Dawes, Coleman and Addae-Wusu each converted a driving layup to fuel an 11-0 Seton Hall run that made it 74-48 with 12:10 to go. The Pirates led by as many as 29 points.

Seton Hall center Elijah Hutchins-Everett missed the game due to concussion protocol.

–Field Level Media