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Preview: Pirates host St. John's in a rivalry matinee

Date: January 19, 2021

By: Ben Harris

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Seton Hall Athletics

Hoping to continue their three-game win streak, the Seton Hall Pirates women’s basketball team is looking to bring down St. John’s this Wednesday afternoon. The Pirates have found recent success, winning four of their last five appearances including the last three against Butler, Marquette, and once again, Butler.

 

During this streak, newly added guard Andra Espinoza-Hunter has unquestionably had the biggest impact on the success of this Pirates team. The graduate transfer has posted some ridiculous numbers in the Hall’s past three games, leading each game in scoring (23, 25, 24) and shooting a total of 20 for 30 from behind the three-point arc.

 

These consecutive great performances gained attention from around the nation and helped Espinoza-Hunter earn her first Big East Player of the Week honors. Having just recently been declared eligible to play after her transfer from Mississippi State, AEH has certainly wasted no time making her mark.

Seton Hall is a team that many did not know what to make of before the season started. Having lost top scorers Shadeen Samuels and Alexis Lewis to graduation, many thought the Pirates would be left without the tools to compete this season. But things are truly starting to click in South Orange, N.J. The young backcourt of Lauren Park-Lane and Mya Jackson has proved to be extremely productive, with each playing great defense and being able to create for others and get their own shots on the offensive end.

 

Preseason All-Big East selection Desiree Elmore has been somewhat inconsistent scoring-wise, but she has been a key all-around contributor to the Pirates, ranking fourth in the Big East in rebounds-per-game. If these players and Espinoza-Hunter can continue playing at a high-level à la these past three games, the Pirates will become one of the most feared teams in the Big East.

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Seton Hall Athletics

The Johnnie’s are on a streak of their own, but not one they are looking to continue. They have dropped their past two matchups, falling on the road in Chicago to the then-19th ranked DePaul Blue Demons as well as a back-and-forth battle at home against the Marquette Golden Eagles that simply slipped away from the Red Storm down the stretch. Against the Blue Demons, the Red Storm was simply outmatched and overpowered, but the Marquette loss is one that likely stung. The game had 11 lead changes and St John’s kept things relatively close despite being outrebounded by an 18-board margin, but it was their poor fourth quarter shooting that eventually put the nail in the coffin.

 

On the whole, the Red Storm have underperformed so far this season, but they still have some time to turn things around. With a 4-7 overall record and a pitiful 1-5 start to Big East conference play, Joe Tartamella and company need to find their spark and find it soon. Of course, the Red Storm’s dynamic duo of Leilani Correa and Qadasha Hoppie will be their go-to options, as each Preseason All-Big East team selection is averaging over 18 points-per-contest. For the Red Storm to come out of South Orange, N.J. with a win, their best players will be expected to go above and beyond to stop this losing skid.

The rivalry game will tip off on Wednesday, Jan. 20 at 1:00 p.m. inside a spectator-less Walsh Gymnasium. WSOU 89.5 FM, your flagship station for Seton Hall women’s hoops, will bring you all of the action, per usual. The elite broadcasting pair of Wilnir Louis and Heaven Hill are on the call, with Jorie Mickens and Michael Daly’s in-depth pre-game coverage beginning at 12:30 p.m. The Pirates will look to continue their winning streak while the Red Storm will be fighting for a much-needed win in what should be an exciting Big East battle.

Ben Harris can be reached at benjamin.harris@student.shu.edu.

Posted in: Sports, Game Previews, Women's Basketball

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