Pirates Outmatched in Home Blowout Loss to #1 UConn

Published: Saturday, January 24, 2026

by Nick Diodato

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - The Seton Hall Pirates (14-6, 8-3 CONF) were simply unmatched on Saturday afternoon as they suffered a 92-52 loss against the #1 UConn Huskies (21-0, 11-0 CONF).

Coming into this matchup, Seton Hall was looking to extend their winning streak to five following a win at home against the Providence Friars. However, as basketball fans know, this UConn team is at the top of their game and the NCAA, remaining undefeated this season and looking to go back-to-back with the National Championship.

In the first, the Pirates came out hot in the two minutes of play, with Mariana Valenzuela getting three quick buckets, being able to get multiple stops to slow down UConn's offense and give them a 6-0 lead.

It was not too long before UConn found their footing and were able to tie it up with an open three followed by an and-1 from Azzi Fudd with Fudd and Valenzuela being the leaders of their teams respectively throughout the matchup.  

It was then when the Huskies started to push the pace against the Pirates as Seton Hall drew multiple turnovers and misses from the field. UConn took advantage of these turnovers and led 25-17, going into the second half.

Starting the second, it looked as if Seton Hall could be in this game. However, the Huskies were able to end this and maintain a double-digit lead to the start of the quarter.

Fudd continued to lead the team with 12 points, followed by Blanca Quinonez with 12 points at the four-minute mark, shooting five for five from the field. UConn then took complete control going on a 12-2 run in the final minutes to push their lead to 22.

Fouls and turnovers from the Pirates being tossed left and right as UConn continues to take advantage, leading at the half 50-28.

By the start of the second half, it looked as if this game had already been over, with the Huskies maintaining their 20-point lead while the Pirates tried to claw their way back.  

Sarah Strong then put up a tough and-1 layup to bring the lead up to 24 and put Strong as UConn's leader in points with 17.

The Pirates simply could not find any sort of offensive rhythm, going scoreless for over four minutes and three turnovers in a minute and a half, adding fuel to the fire for UConn.

Again, it was more of the same with more turnovers and fouls followed by great defense from UConn stopping any chance of a comeback for the Pirates, with the Huskies leading 73-41 heading into the fourth.  

In the fourth quarter, it was Allie Ziebell and Ashlynn Shade who really put the dagger in the coffin, leaving no room for improvement today for Seton Hall.

The 92-52 loss today puts the Pirates at 14-6 on the season and 8-3 in conference play while the Huskies pick up their 21st straight win for the season, their 11th in conference play.

This loss proves that this UConn team is looking unstoppable right now, as no team seems to have an answer for their run.

The Pirates will look to bounce back on Thursday, January 29 when they head to the Nation's Capital to face off against the Georgetown Hoyas. Jacob Glick and Nick DiBlasi will have the call for 89.5 FM WSOU.

Nick Diodato can be reached at nicholas.diodato@student.shu.edu

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