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Recap: Pirates get a convincing win over rival St. John's, 87-64

Date: January 20, 2021

By: Ben Harris

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Seton Hall Athletics

The Seton Hall women’s basketball team extended their win streak to four straight games after a controlling 87-64 win over the St. John’s Red Storm on Wednesday afternoon. The story of the game was the same as it has been in the previous three victories, as Mississippi State graduate transfer, Andra Espinoza-Hunter, put on yet another incredible display.

 

During the postgame presser, head coach Anothony Bozzella said, “She’s just a really special player… she’s one of the more intelligent players I’ve ever had.”

The spark-providing guard dropped a career high 30 points, which is also the highest point total by any Pirates player this season. AEH also added eight rebounds, three assists, and swiped away three steals in this stellar performance.

 

If she is able to continue this level of dominance into Saturday’s game against Xavier, she can likely secure her second-straight Big East Player of the Week award.

While Espinoza-Hunter’s play certainly stood out in this and the previous three games, Preseason All-Big East selection Desiree Elmore had a game to remember as well. Her senior leadership showed through in her play, stuffing the stat sheet with 26 points on 12 of 16 shooting, nine rebounds, an assist, a block, and two steals. A fantastic all-around performance for Elmore.

 

If Espinoza-Hunter can keep scoring at this premier level, Elmore’s game will be able to fit more naturally into coach Bozzella’s system as she becomes the number two scoring option. When Elmore is able to focus on grabbing boards and playing great defense down low, her skillset becomes much better suited to the Pirates’ brand of basketball and the offense flows more naturally.

As a team, the Pirates won this game by playing better as a team and making more hustle plays than the Red Storm. The Pirates were able to out-rebound the Johnnies by a significant margin, leading the category by 17 with the totals coming out to 47-30. Out of Seton Hall’s season-high 47 total rebounds, 22 came on the offensive end, helping contribute to their vital 16 second-chance points.

 

Both teams shot similarly percentagewise from almost everywhere on the floor, but a big factor in the difference was the Pirates ability to not only force, but score off turnovers, racking up 23 points off St. John’s mistakes. It was surprising to see the Pirates force SJU to commit 17 turnovers, especially without the great defense of starting point guard Lauren Park-Lane, who coach Bozzella said was out due to a day-to-day injury.

 

The Pirates defense was able to home in on the Johnnies’ top options, holding Preseason All-Big East selections Leilani Correa and Qadasha Hoppie to a disappointing combined 10 of 27 shot total. By limiting the production of their top options and playing efficiently on both ends, the Pirates were in full control for most of the game.

The Pirates will play their next game this upcoming Saturday as they plan to face the Xavier Musketeers here in South Orange, N.J. Of course, WSOU 89.5 FM, your flagship station for Seton Hall women’s basketball, will bring you your radio coverage with our fantastic broadcasting duo of Rony Jerez and Michael Daly on the call for the 1:00 p.m. tip-off. The Pirates will look to improve their streak to five straight victories in the final game of their four-game homestand in historic Walsh Gymnasium.

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

Posted in: Sports, Women's Basketball

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