Pirates host Musketeers Looking to Carry Over Momentum

Published: Saturday, December 27, 2025

by Jacob Nieczypor

 SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. -- On Sunday afternoon, Seton Hall Pirates women’s basketball (8-4, 2-1) hosts the Xavier Musketeers (8-4, 1-2) in a meaningful BIG EAST matchup. The Pirates will look to protect home court at Walsh Gym and build momentum in the middle of the conference slate.

The Pirates have quietly balanced their non-conference run with solid results in BIG EAST games so far, including a road win at Creighton and a good showing after a loss at Villanova.

On offense, the team leans on its top scorers Mariana Valenzuela, who ranks in the top ten of the BIG EAST in scoring and rebounding this season, and guard Savannah Catalon.

Seton Hall’s balance and depth have shown up on both ends of the floor. When the Pirates share the ball and get contributions from multiple players, they are tough to beat.

For Xavier, this season marks a solid step forward from recent years. After struggling through a tough couple of seasons, the Musketeers are searching for consistency in conference play.

The Xavier offense has shown flashes, but like Seton Hall’s, it can go through ups and downs. Their results so far show that they can compete if they make shots and limit mistakes. One advantage for Xavier is that they have had time to gel and respond after early league losses, which gives them a chance to compete tough on the road.

Historically, the matchup favors Seton Hall. The Pirates have dominated this series over time, owning a lopsided record in head-to-head games, including a recent win in the BIG EAST tournament. Home court and confidence from recent league wins give Seton Hall an edge.

Tune into 89.5 FM WSOU for 1:00 P.M. tipoff where Christian Oliveri and Anthony Collins will be on the call.

Jacob Nieczypor can be reached at jacob.nieczypor@student.shu.edu 

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