Pirates Face Rival Villanova in Last Home Game of the Season

Published: Thursday, February 26, 2026

by Sean Casey

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - The Seton Hall Pirates (18-8,12-6) will take on the Villanova Wildcats (22-6, 15-4) in the final regular season game in Walsh Gym on Thursday evening. Seton Hall is looking to avenge the 72-55 loss from back in December, when these teams previously met. 

The Pirates are coming off a home loss to St. John’s this past Sunday 59-56. Despite being down many key players, the Pirates fought back from a six point halftime deficit but were unable to come all the way back. The Red Storm limited Seton Hall to just 25% from three and 32% from the field.

As Seton Hall looks to bounce back, they will look for Jordio Codio and Zahara Bishop to lead the way offensively. Codio was named BIG EAST Honorable mention while Bishop picked up her third BIG EAST Freshman of the Week honor.

Ari Woodard has also continued to make strides for the Pirates, replacing the injured Jada Eads as the Pirates starting point guard. Woodard is coming off a 10 point, six rebound performance on Sunday. Pirate fans are seeing Woodard's progression game by game, getting better with each start.

Villanova's dynamic offense is led by Jasmine Bascoe and Brynn McCurry. Bascoe leads the way for the second place Wildcats, averaging 18.4 points a game while McCurry also averages double figures. Last time out against the Pirates it was the Bascoe show, as she had 20 points and seven rebounds in the matchup back in Philly.

The Wildcats are coming off a big 64-39 win against Marquette. Bascoe led the way again with 18 points. This win secured the second seed in the BIG EAST for the Wildcats, who were picked fourth in the preseason poll.

The keys for the Pirates is to limit Bascoe, win the rebounding battle in order to limit second chance points, and get easy baskets in transition. The Pirates do not shoot at a high percentage, so getting easy looks around the basket is essential.

This games serves as one of the biggest tests of the regular season, taking on a dangerous team while undermanned, with a very good chance the Pirates will see them again at Mohegan Sun in the BIG EAST tournament.

Join Ryder Nuesell and Lauren Reese on the call for 89.5 FM WSOU on Thursday for 7:00 P.M. tipoff and coverage beginning at 6:30.

Sean Casey can be reached at sean.casey@student.shu.edu

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