Recap: Pirates Steamroll Musketeers 84-58 to Move On to BIG EAST Semifinals

Date: March 4, 2023

By: Will Swankie

Seton Hall Athletics

The No. 6 Seton Hall Pirates (18-13, 10-10 CONF) won in dominant fashion against the No. 11 Xavier Musketeers (7-23, 0-20 CONF), 84-58, behind a season-best effort from Victoria Keenan.

Keenan led all bench players in points with 18 and connected on a career-high six three pointers.

“She’s an amazing young woman who’s been through a tremendous amount of adversity,” Coach Tony Bozzella said postgame. “I haven’t had anyone be as enthusiastically applauded by her teammates than Victoria was today, and that’s a testament to her as a person.”

MOVING. ON. #HALLin pic.twitter.com/i2ugzdfClX

— Seton Hall Women’s Basketball (@SHUWBB) March 3, 2023

Keenan spent the better part of the last two seasons battling an ACL injury. Since 2021, she has played in just 13 games.

“It was hard,” Keenan said as she reflected on her journey. “Coach was there with me telling me, ‘Go shoot, keep going. Stay locked in as if you’re going to play,’ and here I am.”

The Pirates were led in scoring in typical fashion by Lauren Park-Lane. The BIG EAST first-team unanimous selection had a stellar first quarter, going 4 for 4 with 12 points. She finished the game with a team-high 26 but battled foul trouble at the beginning of the second half.

With Park-Lane on the bench, Bozzella and the Pirates utilized their depth. Alongside Keenan, Jala Jordan contributed 12 points off the bench and Azana Baines added nine with four rebounds. Sophomore guard Amari Wright played an increased role due to Park-Lane’s limited minutes and chipped in six assists in 26 minutes.

Jala Jordan with the steal and takes it the whole way herself!!#HALLin pic.twitter.com/SjOeAJx7OZ

— Seton Hall Women’s Basketball (@SHUWBB) March 3, 2023

“Amari’s a fantastic basketball player,” Bozzella said. “She’s one of the best point guards around. Her defense today was amazing.”

On the Xavier side, they were led in part by junior guard Makayla Scarlett and senior forward Courtney Prenger. Scarlett added 18 points, shooting 9-of-10 from the free throw line, while Prenger scored 19.

Seton Hall will look ahead to No. 3 Creighton who they have yet to beat in 2023. They will try and use their momentum from today’s win to advance to the tournament semifinals.

“You’ll see Seton Hall make 12 to 15 threes tomorrow,” Bozzella proclaimed. “Seton Hall’s going to play well tomorrow.”

Will Swankie is an Assistant Sports Director at WSOU and can be reached at william.swankie@student.shu.edu.

Posted in: Sports, Women's Basketball