Credit: Michael Federico
Pirates Roll to 2-0 in Domination Against Fordham, 67-44
Published: Wednesday, November 13, 2024
by AJ Rayer
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J - Seton Hall (2-0) stays dominant in non-conference play, defeating the Fordham Rams (1-2) Tuesday night in historic Walsh Gymnasium, 67-44. Yaya Lops and Faith Masonius led the way offensively for the Pirates with 17 points each. After missing the season opener due to illness, head coach Tony Bozzella officially started his 12th season on the sidelines for Seton Hall.
The Pirates got off to a quick start in the 1st quarter. Coach Bozzella started the game in a suffocating press which forced multiple Fordham turnovers. A timeout was called by the Rams early after the Pirates got off to a 13-2 start.
Out of the timeout, the Rams got back on their feet and cut the lead down to six. Seton Hall at one point went on a nearly four-minute scoring drought. The Rams seemed to have changed their momentum, led by junior Kaila Berry, and collectively turned up the gas.
But the last three quarters in Walsh were all Pirates ball, courtesy of both bench players and the starters. West Virginia transfer Messiah Hunter picked up four points in the second, La Salle transfer Nicole Melious knocked down a huge three off a dish from Masonius, and Savannah Catalon knocked down a mid-range jumper with three seconds left. Her points solidified the Pirates a 38-23 lead going into the break.
The third quarter was commanded by Lops, who had 10 points on 3-4 from the field and was 3-3 from the free throw line. Bozzella had high praise for Lops’ work ethic after the game, who now begins her final year of college basketball.
“When she got that sixth year, she wanted to leave it all out, no doubt. She is in the gym every day working with every member of my staff," said Bozzella when discussing Lops' development as a Pirate.
11 Pirates played tonight, and the reserves played for the majority of the fourth quarter. JUCO transfer Savannah Jones stood out, as she picked up four points in seven minutes off the bench. The Pirates cruised the rest of the way, and picked up the win 67-44.
Before the match, Coach Bozzella emphasized the importance of winning the offensive rebounding and turnover battle tonight, and it showed throughout the fourty minutes of play. Seton Hall forced a total of 24 turnovers and had 32 points off of them. All five rotations of Pirates on the floor were crashing the glass after every shot, which led to 20 Hall offensive rebounds. Additionally, the Pirates made an emphasis on diving into the lane tonight and getting to the free throw line, as they shot 18-23 from the charity stripe.
Overall, the night was a solid performance for the Pirates, with a lot still to build on. Different players are stepping up every night which shows the depth of this roster. The Pirates will be back in action against Bryant in Walsh on Saturday on 89.5 FM WSOU. CJ Weipz and Nick DiBlasi will be on the call. Tip-off is at 4:30 p.m. with pregame starting at 4:15 p.m.
AJ Rayer can be reached at alexander.rayer@student.shu.edu.Posted in: sports,