Credit: Sara Paul
Pirates Prevail Over Howard Bison, 87-63
Published: Friday, December 6, 2024
by Jackson Shank
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J - On a cold December night in South Orange, New Jersey, a star in the making made her collegiate debut, as the Seton Hall Pirates rolled to their second straight victory 87 – 63 over the Howard Bison.
As a member of the starting five for the first time in her collegiate career, freshman Jada Eads made her mark in Walsh Gymnasium with a career-high 14 points while connecting on 4-8 from deep. Eads, a 5’7 guard from Orlando, Florida, has given head coach Tony Bozzella and the rest of his staff a solid argument to remain in the starting lineup moving forward.
While the contest ended in a 24-point difference, the opening quarter posed a challenge for the Pirates, as they were down by as much as 10 heading into the first timeout. Coach B’s squad was just warming up, as Amari Wright and Savannah Catalon would go on to connect the Pirates next three three-point shots to cut the deficit to just one, 20-21, to the end the first quarter.
That pace would multiply by 10 to open the second quarter, as the Pirates proceeded to outscore the Bison 29-3 in the second quarter. The three points are tied for the second lowest allowed in a quarter in school history, second to blanking the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights back on March 18, 2022. Catalon, Eads, and Faith Masonius all added seven or more in the quarter, and the team would finish the quarter on a 10-0 run.
The second half was just a formality. The Pirates would continue to pour it on from deep, connecting on a season high 13 of 26. Four pirates would score in double figures Catalon (21), Masonius (16), Eads (14), and Lops (12). The two forwards getting back on track was essential for Seton Hall, as the duo has combined for 30 or more in four of Seton Hall’s seven games this season.
The Pirates are riding high as they continue to spearhead this homestand, going 2-0 with two more matchups before they face LSU. The Pirates' next two matchups are key to contribute to the argument of an NCAA tournament appearance come conference play.
With Eads turning the corner as a freshman, Catalon proving why she was a preseason all-conference selection, and the forwards back on track, Seton Hall could be primed for a 4-0 homestand before LSU and conference play. Time will tell, but they may very well be the most dangerous team in the Big East come conference play.
Jackson Shank can be reached at jackson.shank@student.shu.edu.Posted in: sports,