South Orange, NJ—-Seton Hall University Women’s basketball team earned a hard-fought 59-53 victory over the University of San Francisco on Monday night at Walsh Gym, in a game that showcased the Pirates’ resilience and team chemistry. Leading the charge for Seton Hall was Savannah Jones, who scored 26 points, while Shailyn Pinkney poured in 14 in a well-rounded performance. The win marked a statement victory for the Pirates as they overcame a tough challenge from the visiting Dons.
The contest was tightly contested from start to finish. The teams traded leads throughout the first half, with Seton Hall holding a 32-27 advantage heading into the break. The Pirates were energized by their home crowd and were able to build a slight lead, but San Francisco kept pace, matching Seton Hall’s intensity on both ends of the floor.
Seton Hall’s Lockdown Defense
The key to Seton Hall’s success was their defense, which played a crucial role in stifling San Francisco’s offensive attack. The Pirates were relentless, forcing turnovers and limiting the Dons to poor shooting percentages, particularly in the second half. Seton Hall’s defense was at its best in the final minutes, when San Francisco struggled to find any rhythm offensively. The Pirates’ ability to execute defensively under pressure allowed them to take control of the game down the stretch and secure the win.
Balanced Offensive Effort
Offensively, Seton Hall relied on a balanced attack that spread the scoring across several players. While Jones was the standout scorer, the Pirates had contributions from multiple players, preventing the Dons from zeroing in on any one individual. This variety in scoring allowed Seton Hall to maintain offensive efficiency and respond to San Francisco’s challenges. The Pirates also capitalized on free-throw opportunities 81% for the game, hitting timely shots late in the game to extend their lead and fend off San Francisco’s final push.
Notable Performances
In addition to Jones’ 26 points, Pinkney’s 14 points proved vital to Seton Hall’s victory, with her ability to score and defend playing a pivotal role. The Pirates also benefitted from strong contributions in other areas, such as rebounds and assists, which helped them maintain control the tempo of the game.
For San Francisco, Emma Trawally Porta led the Dons with 15 points, but the team was unable to overcome Seton Hall’s suffocating defense. Despite a solid effort from Porta and others, the Dons struggled to execute in the final minutes, allowing Seton Hall to pull away in the last few minutes of the contest.
Coaching and Strategy
Seton Hall head coach Anthony Bozzella deserves credit for his tactical adjustments and ability to keep the team composed throughout the game. His leadership was crucial in helping the Pirates weather the tough moments of the contest. Seton Hall’s discipline and ability to stay organized, especially in crunch-time situations, proved to be the difference as they secured the win.
Looking Ahead for Seton Hall
With the win, Seton Hall improves its early-season (5-2) record and gains momentum moving forward. The Pirates will look to build on this victory as they continue through the season, relying on their strong defensive play and balanced offensive contributions to stay competitive in a challenging Big East landscape.
While the loss was disappointing for San Francisco (2-4), the Dons showed promise in moments throughout the game and will look to regroup as they continue their season.
Overall, Seton Hall’s victory at Walsh Gym on Monday night was a testament to their grit, determination, and team-oriented approach—setting a positive tone for the remainder of their season.
