WSOU

Game preview: Seton Hall clashes with the VCU Rams

Date: November 11, 2019

By: Christian Gardner

On Tuesday, Nov. 12, the Pirates will take on the VCU Rams at 7:00 p.m. in Walsh Gymnasium. This is the first test on the Pirates’ schedule in the early season after winning the first two games by a combined total of 54 points.

The VCU Rams are coming off a successful season in the Atlantic 10 conference. A year ago, the Rams went 23-10 on the year and falling just short to Fordham in the conference championship. The Rams were led last year by sophomore Tera Reed. Reed led all Rams in points per game with 12.5 while also shooting 40% from behind the arc. Reed is looking to take the next leap in now her junior season and lead the charge once again in the Rams offensive attack.

Last year, the Rams struggled on the offensive end, averaging only 60 points per game which ranked 781st in the nation. The Rams may not have enough firepower to keep up the Pirate offense. After two games the Seton Hall Pirates have a top 50 scoring offense in the nation. The Pirates have a number of capable scorers including Preseason Big East Player of the year Shadeen Samuels, but the player that has stood out the most on the Pirate offense has been junior Desiree Elmore.

Elmore, who is just in her second season with the Pirates after transferring from Syracuse, has led the Pirates in scoring both of their matchups. Elmore has not just scored a lot, but she has taken smart shots. One year ago, Elmore was top five in the Big East in shot percentage.

Although it is very early in the season, Elmore is not just one of the top successful shooters in the Big East, but in the whole country, shooting 72% from the field. Elmore has benefited from having a bigger role this year as she has become a reliable starter for this team. We will see if her red hot start continues or if someone else will step up for the Pirates.

The Pirates have a number of newcomers to the team with a number of freshmen guards already standing out.  With long time point guard Inja Butina graduating, many wondered how a new-look backcourt would fair. Freshman Lauren Park-Lane has answered the call for the Pirates so far this season. Park-Lane has started for the Pirates in the first two regular season games and has responded with six assists in each game.

Park-Lane has embraced the floor general role, but she isn’t the only freshman guard to take advantage of her opportunity. Mya Jackson in her college debut scored 16 points and was nearly perfect four for five from behind the arc in the first half. Time will tell if these freshmen will continue to show out versus VCU.

Coverage on 89.5 FM begins at 6:45 p.m., with pregame coverag hosted by Ronny Castaneda and Heaven Hill. On the call from Walsh Gymnasium will be Mat Mlodzinski and Ben Harris.

Christian Gardner can be reached at christian.gardner@student.shu.edu.

Posted in: Sports, WSOU, Women's Basketball

Seton Hall

Seton Hall

Merchandise

wsou store