Pirates Look for Season Sweep vs Butler Bulldogs

Published: Wednesday, January 29, 2025

by Lauren Reese

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - After their 57-48 win last Saturday vs the St. John’s Red Storm, spearheaded by a dominant fourth quarter, the Seton Hall Pirates (14-5, 6-2) take on the Butler Bulldogs (12-10, 2-7) in Walsh Gymnasium this evening.

The Pirates had plenty of good to acknowledge in the Johnnies game. They ended the matchup better from the free throw line (81% to 50%), forcing more turnovers (23-13), as well as a 25-2 advantage in points off of turnovers.

Yet the clear front-runner for the top storyline was the return of Savannah Catalon. The Preseason BIG-EAST Honorable Mention wasted no time in finding action; after missing seven games due to injury, she started, played 32 minutes, scored 12 points, and tacked on six steals. The sophomore looked like she hadn’t missed any time at all, and will look to display her BIG EAST experience and dominance throughout the rest of the season. 

Following suit, Faith Masonius led the team in that game with 16 points and eight rebounds. Masonius has scored in double digits in all but one conference game, and continues to tear up the court around the posts and under the basket. To complete the triad, Jada Eads tacked down 11 points, three rebounds, and three steals. Eads remains on the up for this optimistic Pirates team, and despite not having her usual lights-out performance, continues to look very-well suited to dominate as a ball-handler, especially in the paint alongside Catalon.

When these three players are on the court at the same time, all averaging points in double digits, Pirate fans are in for quite the treat; Catalon, Masonius, Eads, and the entire team continue to pride themselves on their all-around aggression on both sides of the court. However, the ability within those three players specifically to anticipate each other made itself clear last Saturday, sending the Johnnies defense into shambles.

As mentioned before within points off of turnovers, each play in transition looks structured and thought out. Coach Bozzella has a squad full of players with various heights and styles of play, but has successfully shown throughout the season his comprehension of when to utilize who.

Looking over to Butler, the Bulldogs of Indianapolis are trying to find themselves a little more in each game they play. They seemed to have found their footing earlier in January, with commanding wins over Providence and Georgetown, but have since dropped their last three to Xavier, Creighton, and DePaul. 

But their lackluster record doesn't display the true picture of this team. In their most recent matchup vs DePaul, they let up an 11-point lead over the Blue Demons with five minutes left in the fourth quarter. The game went to overtime, and while Kilyn McGuff led her team with a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds, Butler fell 74-67. McGuff’s average of eight rebounds per game is good for second-best in the conference, only behind Ariel Jenkins of Georgetown.

The Bulldogs have been tinkering around with lineups and rotations, especially within the absence of Caroline Strande, the 2024 Second Team All-BIG EAST selection who tore her ACL on Dec. 29th, 2024. That day was also the last time the Pirates faced the Bulldogs, right in Hinkle Fieldhouse where the Hall won 69-59. 

Butler will look to build some type of momentum to pull off an upset against this Pirates team, as they come into this matchup only allowing 60 points per game in conference action. Additionally, they are currently fourth in the conference in rebounding margin, and will look to use their players' height to secure an advantage on the boards. This could be especially clear with the help of 6 foot 2 Riley Makalusky. The sophomore just had her best performance of the season vs DePaul, shooting 57% that made way for 15 points. 

But Pirate fans know this Seton Hall women’s basketball team does everything but hold back. With numerous facilitators and finishers, both in the starting lineup as well as on the bench, the Pirates will look to complete the season sweep vs Butler. You can hear all the action on WSOU 89.5 FM, the flagship station for Seton Hall women's basketball. Tipoff is at 7:00 p.m. with Jack Pine and Victor Gonzalez on the call, and pregame coverage starts at 6:30 p.m. 

Lauren Reese is an Assistant Sports Director and Web Editor for WSOU, and can be reached at lauren.reese@student.shu.edu. 

 

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