Game preview: Pirates host Villanova in the first game of 2020

Date: January 2, 2020

By: Connor Hester

The Seton Hall Pirates (9-4, 2-0) look to kick off 2020 the same way they finished 2019, with a win, when they host the Villanova Wildcats (6-6, 1-1) at the Historic Walsh Gymnasium on Friday afternoon. The Pirates have not beaten the Wildcats since February 14, 2016, having lost six straight games against Villanova since then.

The Pirates come into the game having won their last four games, including five of their last six, after defeating the Xavier Musketeers on Tuesday afternoon in Cincinnati, Ohio, 83-61. The Pirates average 71.9 points per game and are led by a balanced scoring attack, boasting four players averaging more than 10 points per game; Desiree Elmore (14.6), Alexis Lewis (13.2), Shadeen Samuels (12.4), and Mya Jackson (10.9).

Led by three seniors; Lewis, Jackson, and Samuels, along with the junior Elmore the Pirates are led by experience as they look to keep their season on track. Elmore picked up major experience, stepping up for the Pirates when Preseason Big East Player of the Year Samuels missed four games due to injury. The Pirates will look to push the pace of the game and put up shots, shooting nearly 41% from the field, and 32% from three.

The Wildcats are coming off of a 58-42 loss at home on New Year’s Eve to the Creighton Bluejays, after having won their previous two. Villanova is led by a dynamic scoring tandem of redshirt freshman Madison Siegrist and senior Mary Gedaka, averaging 20.7 and 17.0 points per game respectively. The Wildcats have no other scorer averaging more than 7.5 points per game.

The Wildcats’ best chance to win the game will come in a low scoring affair, having held their opponents to 60.3 points per game, while scoring only 59. For Villanova to be able to win the game, they will need to control the pace of play and force the supporting cast of Seton Hall to step up by locking down the stars and limiting the Pirates shooting opportunities from beyond the arc.

Liam Plate and Chris Russo will be on the call for the game and coverage can be heard on 89.5 FM WSOU beginning at 12:45 p.m.

Connor Hester can be reached at connor.hester@student.shu.edu.

Posted in: Sports, WSOU, Women's Basketball