St. Thomas, VI (SportsNetwork.com) - Sterling Gibbs erupted for a career-high 40 points in leading the Seton Hall Pirates to an 84-80 victory over the Illinois State Redbirds in the title game of the 2014 Paradise Jam.

Gibbs drilled 7-of-9 shots from beyond the arc and all 13 tries at the free- throw line for Seton Hall (4-0). Isaiah Whitehead contributed 18 points and six assists and Jaren Sina netted 11 points.

Bobby Hunter paced Illinois State (2-2) with 23 points. Daishon Knight tallied 15 points and DeVaughn Akoon-Purcell chipped in 14 before fouling out.

Seton Hall sprinted out to a 41-27 lead at halftime by shooting 48 percent from the floor, including an 8-of-11 effort from 3-point range, in the first half. Illinois State only had eight field goals in that time.

The Redbirds rallied in the second, shooting 50 percent from the floor and nailing eight triples. However, the Pirates held on by netting 55.6 percent from the floor and 19-of-27 at the free-throw line.

Despite the loss, Illinois State had scoring advantages in the paint (30-18) and off of turnovers (23-15).