Pirates Undefeated Season Comes to an End in Late Loss to Princeton

Published: Tuesday, December 2, 2025

by Nick Diodato

PRINCETON, N.J. -- The Seton Hall Pirates’ (4-1) undefeated season ended after a late game collapse to the Princeton Tigers (8-1) on Tuesday night with the final score being 82-78.

The Pirates seemed to be in clear command of the game from the first quarter, leading 22–15. However, the Tigers outscored them in the second, before becoming a back-and-forth game until the last minutes of the fourth quarter.

Savannah Catalon’s 24-point performance was not enough, as fourth quarter free throws, sloppy defense, and rookie mistakes became the downfall of the night. 

Early on, Jordana Codio was the leader for Seton Hall, scoring six points in the first five minutes. Princeton looked a bit sloppy shooting four for nine to start the game, which the Pirates used to their advantage to go up seven before the five-minute mark. Mariana Valenzuela was also a key player this quarter, with four points and four rebounds.  

In the second, the Pirates came out hot to build a quick double-digit lead. Seton Hall also continued with a tight doubled defense, forcing Princeton to keep taking tough shots.

The Pirates kept up this lead and looked to be firing on all cylinders while the Tigers still looked sloppy on both ends of the court. They also managed to keep Princeton star Madison St. Rose to just four points through two quarters.

Then it began to rain threes for Princeton, with four from Ashley Chea, five from Skye Belker, and two from Fadima Tall being the keys to their victory. These threes and Seton Hall’s messy defense helped Princeton cut the Pirates' lead to just two at the end of the half.

The Tigers took their first lead in just the opening two minutes of the third quarter, seemingly slowing the pace for the Pirates. A back-and-forth quarter ended with Seton Hall having little breathing room up five with four and a half to go in the quarter.

It was then time for the Jada Eads show, following a put back off a Savannah Catalon miss, a tough and-one, and a quick mid-ranger off a Princeton turnover, putting the Pirates up nine with three minutes to go.

For the Tigers, Skye Belker continued to be the star with some tough shots and an and-one made to put her point total at 21. The Pirates led 65–60 by the end and looked like they would ease into a fifth win.

However, in the fourth, the Pirates began their collapse on both ends of the court, giving Princeton the lead at the five-minute mark.  Zahara Bishop knocked in a quick three to bring the lead back to the Pirates, starting what became another back-and-forth quarter.

Fouls were getting called left and right on Princeton with three in just 15 seconds, continuing to make it seem like it was anyone's game. Free throws were a huge difference in the quarter for the Pirates, as they went 13 for 21 in the game and allowed Princeton to take a four-point lead with one minute remaining in the quarter.

A challenged turnover gave the ball back to the Pirates with a quick layup from Catalon cutting the Tigers’ lead back to two. However, Zahara Bishop hoisted a three-point attempt that could not catch rim in a last chance possession, and Eads’ rebound attempt fell short, ending Seton Hall’s chances at stopping the Princeton comeback, giving the Tigers the win 82-78.

The Pirates will look to comeback after this loss as they head back to Walsh Gymnasium to host the Butler Bulldogs in their BIG EAST opener on Thursday, December 4, where Jack Pine and Joe Morales will have the call for 89.5 FM WSOU.

Nick Diodato can be reached at nicholas.diodato@student.shu.edu 

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