Credit: GR Productions
Pirates Surge Late, Earn Third Conference Win over Xavier
Published: Sunday, December 28, 2025
by Jacob Nieczypor
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. -- The Seton Hall Pirates (9-4, 3-1) took down the Xavier Musketeers (8-5, 1-3) by a score of 75-55 on Sunday afternoon due to a fourth quarter takeover and an all-around dominant performance from Savannah Catalon.
It was a fast-paced start with both teams trading back-to-back three-pointers to open the game tied 6–6. Seton Hall then settled things down and took a 10–6 lead with a pair of free throws from Zahara Bishop.
Heading into the first media timeout, the Pirates were up 12–8 following a strong miss and putback by Ja’Kahla Craft. Seton Hall turned up the pressure with a full-court press and ripped off an 8–0 run to extend the lead to 17–8.
Jordana Codio stayed hot late in the quarter, knocking down a mid-range jumper to make it 20–11. The final minutes featured plenty of whistles and rising intensity, as things got a bit chippy early in BIG EAST play. After one quarter, Seton Hall held a 22–15 lead.
The second quarter opened with both teams struggling to find a rhythm, as Xavier managed just one layup in the first four minutes. Costly turnovers and sloppy fouls on both sides kept the scoring to a minimum.
Mariana Valenzuela finally broke the drought for Seton Hall, giving the Pirates a 27–17 lead heading into a timeout. Xavier answered right away with a 5–0 run out of the break to cut it to 27–22.
Another short burst from the Musketeers made it a one-possession game, and Seton Hall clung to a 30–27 going into halftime. The Pirates would head into the break needing a few adjustments to slow Xavier’s momentum and reassert control.
Out of the break, Mackenzie Givens knocked down a three to tie the game at 30, but Ja’Kahla Craft answered right back to put the Pirates back on top.
Jada Eads then got on the board at the free-throw line, giving Seton Hall a three-point edge. However, this was Eads’ only point of the night, as she finished with five rebounds and seven assists to go with her one made free throw.
Xavier picked up a few quick fouls, giving the Pirates a chance to build some momentum, but missed shots and turnovers kept them from capitalizing. Kenerva drilled a big three for the Musketeers to make it 39–37 in favor of Seton Hall heading into a timeout.
Xavier tied it shortly after the break, but once again the Pirates had an answer. Savannah Catalon buried a huge three out of the timeout to push the lead to five. A few Seton Hall fouls slowed the scoring, but strong defense helped them maintain control. Catalon struck again with another three late, sending the Pirates into the fourth quarter up 49–43.
A review turned media timeout with 7:55 remaining in the fourth quarter gave both sides a chance to regroup, with the game still hanging in the balance. Codio then drilled a huge three to extend the Pirates’ lead to 12.
From there, Savannah Catalon took over. She finished strong, igniting a decisive run that stretched the lead to 64–45 with 4:40 to play. Catalon added two more free throws to make it 66–45, and the Pirates never looked back, closing things out in dominant fashion for a 75–55 victory.
Seton Hall will be back in action on Wednesday for a New Year’s Eve matinee against the Georgetown Hoyas in Walsh Gymnasium. Tune in to 89.5 FM WSOU where Ryan Nelke and Jacob Nieczypor will be on the call.
Jacob Nieczypor can be reached at jacob.nieczypor@student.shu.eduPosted in: sports,