UConn Dominates Pirates in Regular Season Finale

Published: Sunday, March 9, 2025

by Mike Bellifemini

STORRS, Conn. – The Seton Hall Pirates (7-24, 2-18) closed out their regular season with an 81-50 road loss to the UConn Huskies (22-9, 14-6) on Saturday at Gampel Pavilion. 

UConn brought high energy from the start, jumping out to a 20-5 lead eight minutes into the first half. Seton Hall forced 10 turnovers before halftime but was heavily outmatched on the glass, getting outrebounded 22-8 at the break.

Garwey Dual was a bright spot for Seton Hall, hitting a trio of three three-pointers in the first half and ending the game with 12 points.

Prince Aligbe led the team with 15 points, including 13 in the second half, while Isaiah Coleman also reached double figures with 10 points on 5-for-13 shooting, despite committing five turnovers.

Dylan Addae-Wusu struggled Sunday, finishing scoreless while shooting 0-for-10 from the field and 0-for-6 from 3-point range.

On Senior Day in Storrs, UConn's veterans came up big as Alex Karaban recorded his second double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Samson Johnson added 14 points, and Hassan Diarra chipped in with six assists and four steals.

Solo Ball led the team with 17 points, including three 3-pointers on eight attempts. In total, five Huskies scored in double figures, with Aidan Mahaney and Jaylin Stewart each adding 10 points.

This loss locked the Pirates into the No. 11 seed in the BIG EAST Tournament, where they will face the No. 6 seed Villanova Wildcats (18-13, 11-9) in the first round.

In their two regular-season matchups, Villanova won both games, taking Seton Hall's BIG EAST opener at the Finneran Pavilion, 79-67. Later in the season, at the Prudential Center, the Wildcats came back from a 12-point halftime deficit to win, 59-54.

As for UConn, Creighton’s win at home against Butler prevented the Huskies from taking over the No. 2 seed. Instead, they settled for the No. 3 seed and will await the winner of Seton Hall’s first-round matchup against Villanova Thursday at 9:30 p.m. in the quarterfinals.

The Pirates will tip off against the Wildcats at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday in the first round at Madison Square Garden as they begin their quest to run the table at the BIG EAST Tournament and put this difficult, frustrating regular season behind them. 

Joe Morales and Mike Bellifemini will have the call from Manhattan, with Lauren Reese and CJ Weipz providing analysis in studio. Coverage begins at 9 p.m. on WSOU-FM

Mike Bellifemini is an Assistant Sports Director at WSOU 89.5 FM and can be reached at michael.bellifemini@student.shu.edu. 

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