Pirates Take On Cincinnati in First Road Test

Published: Monday, November 18, 2024

by Anthony Collins

CINCINNATI, OHIO - The Seton Hall women's basketball team (3-0) will look to continue their strong start to this season on Monday, Nov. 18, when they travel to Cincinnati to take on the Bearcats (3-0) in their first road test of the year.   

The last time these two teams squared off against each other was back in 2013 in the Big East Tournament, and now face each other again in a much-at-stake highly anticipated matchup. Both teams are 3-0 on the year so far, with the Pirates most recent victory over the Bryant Bulldogs 55-39 on Saturday. Cincinnati’s last game resulted in a win over Davidson last Wednesday, prevailing 68-50.

Seton Hall have found their identity on the defensive end, shutting down all three of their opponents and giving up less than 45 points in each matchup. Cincinnati will be tough to stop, with players like Jillian Hayes and Tineya Hylton looking to show up bright tonight. They have both put together 20-point performances in recent contests, and will be the biggest test for this Pirates defense to prove they are legit.  Hayes has been the anchor of this Cincinnati squad, averaging nearly a double-double per game with 20.3 points and 9.7 boards, while shooting 63.2% from the field.  

The Pirates will look to rally behind key players like Faith Masonius and Yaya Lops to continue their hot streak. Masonius, the graduate transfer from Maryland, put together one of her better games against Bryant. She scored an efficient 22 points alongside seven rebounds and five assists. Yaya Lops, another graduate student, has stepped up as a leader on the defensive side. She found herself putting together a career-high five steals and three blocks against Bryant.  

A shutdown Pirate defense going up against a high-scoring Cincinnati offense will prove to be a powerful matchup. Both teams have achieved success thus far, and will look to continue their impressive starts this season. Tipoff will be at 6:30 p.m., with Brian Henderson and Miguel Freire on the call for WSOU 89.5 FM.  

Anthony Collins can be reached at anthony.collins@student.shu.edu. 

 

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