NEWARK, N.J. - Four Rutgers players scored in double-figures, led by freshman Mike Rosario's (Jersey City, N.J.) 25 points, but it was not enough as host Seton Hall stopped the Scarlet Knights 70-67 Thursday night at the Prudential Center in Newark.

The Scarlet Knights (9-12, 0-8 BIG EAST) had a chance to tie on the game's final possession, but Rutgers could not get a shot off as Seton Hall (11-9, 2-6 BIG EAST) held on for the three-point victory.

In addition to Rosario's 25 points, freshman Gregory Echenique (Guatire, Venezuela) contributed 13 second half points to pace the Scarlet Knight attack.

Anthony Farmer now has 997 career points. He needs three to become the 37th Scarlet Knight with at least 1,000 career points. (Jim O'Connor/NJ Sport Pics)

Seton Hall was led by Jeremy Hazell's game-high 35 points, including 28 in the final 20 minutes of the game.

Rutgers came out of the locker room hot from behind the arc as the Scarlet Knights connected on 5-of-11 three-point attempts in the opening 20 minutes.

Rosario missed his first three of the game and then drained four straight shots, including three from downtown, to give the Scarlet Knights a 23-17 lead at the 7:48 mark of the opening half.

The Scarlet Knights' biggest lead of the half was eight at 27-19 with 4:40 remaining on a layup by sophomore guard Mike Coburn (Mt. Vernon, N.Y.). Rutgers managed to score just two points the rest of the half as the Pirates closed the deficit to one at halftime, 27-26.

Sophomore guard Corey Chandler (Newark, N.J.) shot the ball well in the first half, scoring eight points, including 2-of-3 from deep.

The Pirates held a 19-16 advantage on the boards at the break and forced Rutgers into nine turnovers. Seton Hall made just one three-pointer in the opening 20 minutes and shot just 35.3 percent from the field (12-of-34).

Seton Hall used a 20-4 run over the final four minutes of the first half and the first four minutes of the second half to erase a 27-19 deficit and take a 39-31 lead with 16:04 remaining in the game.

The Pirates stretched the lead to 10 with 11:47 remaining as sophomore guard Jeremy Hazell drained a three-pointer to give Seton Hall a 50-40 lead.

Rutgers continued to battle as the Scarlet Knights closed the gap to four at 53-49 with 8:23 left. Echenique converted an old-fashion three-point play on a layup and a free throw and followed on the ensuing possession with a blocked shot. After the block, Rosario went coast-to-coast and finished with a running one-hander to bring RU back to within four.

Trailing 57-50, Rosario drained a three from the corner to bring RU back to within four at 57-53 with 4:38 to go.

Rutgers got as close as three points as Rosario made two-of-three from the foul line with 8.6 seconds left and forced a Seton Hall turnover on the following possession, but the Scarlet Knights could not get off a shot at the buzzer.

The Scarlet Knights return to action Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Louis Brown Athletic Center vs. DePaul. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. with national television coverage on ESPNU.

POSTGAME NOTES

The last two games between Rutgers and Seton Hall have been decided by three points. On March 9, 2008, JR Inman (Pomona, N.Y.) hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to give RU the 64-61 victory at The Rock.

Freshman Mike Rosario (Jersey City, N.J.) finished with 25 points, freshman Gregory Echenique (Guatire, Venezuela) scored 13, senior Anthony Farmer (Millville, N.J.) recorded 11 and sophomore Corey Chandler (Newark, N.J.) tallied 10, marking the fourth game this season that four Scarlet Knights scored in double figures, and the first since Jan. 14, when Rosario, Farmer, Inman and sophomore Mike Coburn (Mt. Vernon, N.Y.) accomplished the feat against Cincinnati. RU is 1-3 in games when four players score more than 10 points.

Rosario's scoring output marks the eighth time this season he finished with more than 20 points. He has scored in double-figures in 19 out of 21 games this season.

Rosario matched career-high in offensive rebounds with three. He previously accomplished the feat three times, last against Louisville on Jan. 21.

Rosario's attempted 10 free throws, matching his career-high, previously set against Delaware State on Dec. 14.

Rosario matched his career-high in minutes played with 38. He also played 38 minutes in RU's overtime loss to St. Bonaventure on Nov. 23.

Farmer now has 997 career points. He needs three to become the 37th Scarlet Knight with at least 1,000 career points, joining Inman.

Inman grabbed five rebounds against Seton Hall, giving him 636 for his career. He passes Eric Clark (633) for 15th-place on RU's all-time rebounds list.

Everyone who saw action for the Scarlet Knights grabbed at least one rebound.