Pirates Suffer First Loss in Close Contest with Tigers, 78-75

Published: Friday, November 22, 2024

by Nick DiBlasi

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ – The Seton Hall women’s basketball team (4-1) suffered its first loss of the season at the hands of the Princeton Tigers (3-2) on Thursday night, by a score of 78-75.

Although their record now reads 4-1, this team showed much improvement against their recurring non-conference rival. Graduate student Yaya Lops recorded a season-high 20 points, 12 of which from the three-point line, that helped Seton Hall fight against the scoring onslaught from Princeton.  

The Tigers shot an astonishing 63% from deep and seemed impossible to guard during select sequences. Their field goal percentage was also the highest by a Seton Hall opponent since Villanova shot 64.4% against the Hall back on February 11, 2023.

Princeton’s offensive success started right at the opening tip with sophomore Ashley Chea scoring the first five points for her squad. Fast points out of the gate would be a constant for the Tigers, as Mari Bickley would record a quick triple to open the scoring for the second quarter.  
Four players racked up double digits in scoring for the Tigers, but it was Skye Belker who inflicted most of the damage.  

In 38 minutes of play, Belker put up 21 points on 8-12 shooting, adding in a few rebounds and six assists in the victory. She came into the matchup averaging 10.8 PPG, doubling her normal input against the Pirates while also setting a new season high.

Coach Bozzella and Seton Hall stuck to their morals in this matchup, relying heavily on their defense and fast-break offense to generate momentum. The Pirates totaled 11 steals and 10 fastbreak points, whereas the Tigers had just two steals and zero on the fastbreak.  

Aggressive play from Lops, Savannah Catalon, and others fueled comebacks from the Hall, after Princeton took a heavy lead in the third quarter. Lops hit back-to-back threes in the latter part of the third to set the stage for a potential Seton Hall comeback in the fourth.

The energy in Walsh Gym picked up for an exciting fourth quarter full of energy and physicality. Grit and determination were shown early by both sides, with many fouls drawn and charges being taken. Faith Masonius completely woke up for the Pirates as the game intensified, scoring 13 of her 15 points in the second half. Catalon also came up clutch for her team with a crazy three-point play and charge taken during the final minutes of the match.  

With this win, Princeton moves to 3-2 in the early season, and the Pirates fall to 4-1. Seton Hall’s season will not get any easier, as they travel to Palm Springs, California for the Acrisure Holiday Invitational. They will face off with one of the best teams in the nation, the USC Trojans, led by sophomore star Juju Watkins. Tipoff will be at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27, with Mike Federico and Spencer Gonzales on the call.  

Nick DiBlasi is an Assistant Social Media Manager and can be reached at nicholas.diblasi@student.shu.edu. 

 

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