Pirates to Face Villanova in Semifinal Round of BIG EAST Tournament

Published: Sunday, March 8, 2026

by Ryder Nuesell

UNCASVILLE, C.T. - The Seton Hall Pirates (19-11) advance to the semifinal round of the 2026 BIG EAST Tournament after Saturday’s 63-61 victory over the St. John’s Red Storm. In the upcoming round, the Villanova Wildcats (24-6) are now the only obstacle in the way of the Pirates in their path to reaching the BIG EAST Championship game.

In Saturday’s quarterfinal game, it was Jordana Codio and Savannah Catalon who led the way for the Pirates. Codio topped her career-high 27 points that scored in Seton Hall’s regular season finale loss at Butler, dropping 35 against the Red Storm. The Pirates’ star forward did so behind dominant 13-23 shooting from the field, including six three-pointers on nine attempts.

Additionally, Catalon’s command of the court and leadership of the Seton Hall squad were key to the win. After suffering a partial fracture of a bone above her right eye, Catalon played through the injury with a facemask as an extra measure of precaution, even though advised not to.

When asked postgame what the difference was between the Pirates’ two losses to St. John’s in  the regular season compared to Saturday’s win, Catalon highlighted the “heart” that Seton Hall played with this time around.

The junior herself proved to be a key component of this emotional victory by not only playing through this adversity, but delivering 12 points, five rebounds and two assists.

Turning the page to the upcoming semifinal matchup, Seton Hall and Villanova have faced off twice this season, with both games resulting in decisive Wildcat wins. Back in December, the Pirates lost at the Finneran Pavilion 72-55, while the most recent matchup only weeks ago in Walsh Gymnasium ended in a 82-52 Villanova victory.

Both times, it was back-to-back All-BIG EAST First Team selection Jasmine Bascoe leading the way for the Wildcats. In the first of the two, the sophomore scored 20 points to go with seven rebounds, five assists and three steals. In the second, she dropped a dominant statline of 28 points, five rebounds, seven assists and a career-high eight steals.

However, this Villanova team consists of many more weapons to compliment Bascoe. The Wildcats possess five total players that average more than eight points per game, as well as an offense that averages the second-most points in the conference.

Taking care of the basketball was a struggle for the Pirates at times during the quarterfinal against St. John’s, mainly during fast breaks and transition offense. Seton Hall will have to minimize these unforced mistakes, as Villanova will be a scrappy defensive team as well.

While the Pirates are third in the BIG EAST in turnover margin at +2.31, the Wildcats boast a +4.27. Overall, it is safe to say that Seton Hall can not afford many unforced mistakes, as Villanova is already skilled at forcing them as well.

Both teams will have a short amount of time to rest between games, especially after losing an hour of sleep to daylight savings. Nonetheless, the Pirates and Wildcats will face off at 5:00 P.M. on Sunday for a trip to the BIG EAST Championship game against the winner of UConn versus Creighton.

Join Joe Morales and Ryan Nelke on the call for 89.5 FM WSOU, where coverage starts at 4:30 P.M.

Ryder Nuesell is an Assistant Sports Director at WSOU and can be reached at ryder.nuesell@student.shu.edu 

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