The anticipation increased with each possession, like a Home Run Derby crowd, waiting on the next pitch in an ever-growing barrage.

When Myles Powell touched the ball, every eye followed. When he didn’t touch the ball, you wondered how long it would be until he did.

The shots fell from deep, from the wing, from wherever he chose to defy logic, Georgetown’s defense and the opposing coaches who picked Seton Hall to finish eighth in the Big East preseason poll. He played distributor and disrupter and energizer, strutting around Madison Square Garden, as if it was Rucker Park.

Early in Thursday’s Big East Tournament quarterfinal, the junior guard picked off a pass and sprinted down the court for a slam. Seconds later, he intercepted another, before feeding Myles Cale for a layup.

Powell jogged back down the court, turned to the crowd, and pointed to the hardwood.

This is his team. This is his time.

“This is my f—ing city!” Powell screamed.

Who is going to argue?

The Trenton native put on an historic performance in the third-seeded Pirates’ 73-57 win over sixth-seeded Georgetown, with Powell scoring a tournament record 29 first-half points — and finishing with 31 — to lead Seton Hall to the semifinals for the fourth time since 2014.

Seton Hall (19-12), which will make a fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance, faces second-seeded Marquette on Friday night.

Last Wednesday, Powell saved the season by scoring 34 points, and keying a game-closing 18-0 run to beat the Golden Eagles.

On this night, Powell set the tone on both ends from the start.

As the lone starter left from last season, Powell has carried a young supporting cast on many occasions. At his best, he has elevated it.

“I know what my teammates need,” Powell said. “My coach always tells me, ‘Pick up your energy, get your guys going.’ I was just trying to do whatever it took to get the ‘W.’ ”

After Seton Hall scored 15 of its first 30 points off turnovers forced by its harassing defense — en route to holding the Big East’s highest-scoring team 23 points below its season average — Powell picked up his second foul with six minutes left in the first half, with Seton Hall up 20.

Kevin Willard never considered pulling his star.

“I trust him. This is my third year with him,” Willard said. “I know he’s not picking up another foul.”

Powell interjected.

“Unless it’s offensive.”

So, the show went on.

The junior drained three of his four 3-pointers and scored 15 of Seton Hall’s final 18 points of the half. The cheers segued into a lengthy standing ovation. Then, an “MVP” chant.

In breaking Doug McDermott’s 27-point mark (2014), Powell hit 10 of his first 14 shots, while leading Seton Hall to a 53-28 halftime lead.

“This is gonna sound crazy, but that’s what I see every day,” Willard said. “I’m just surprised we haven’t seen more of that. He’s played unselfish all year, and that’s one of the reasons for that.”

Powell hit just one of his final seven shots, and settled for his eighth 30-plus point game of the season, leaving Donyell Marshall’s all-time tourney scoring record (42 points) safe.

Before the night was through, Powell stunned the crowd once more. With 3:31 remaining, Powell injured his ankle, and left the floor.

Then, he came back, returning oxygen to South Orange.

“I feel great,” Powell said. “I’ll be ready for tomorrow.”

The show will go on.