Seton Hall Takes on #5 UConn in Rematch at Home

Published: Wednesday, February 19, 2025

by AJ Rayer

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. - Seton Hall women's basketball (18-7,10-4) will welcome in a national powerhouse in the number five UConn Huskies (24-3,14-0) to historic Walsh Gymnasium Wednesday night. The Pirates are coming off a dominant performance against Providence on Sunday afternoon in Rhode Island.

The Pirates are looking for redemption at home after being utterly dismantled by the Huskies back in January up in Storrs. Seton Hall struggled immensely to get anything going on offense and UConn was able to turn the game into a track meet with transition points. The game got out of hand quickly as UConn cruised to a 96-36 win, their largest margin of victory of the season.

The loss was a tough reality check for the Pirates, who had previously gotten off to a historic 4-0 start to conference play.

For Coach Bozzella and the Pirates, they find themselves in a much healthier spot this time around against the Huskies. Star sophomore Savannah Catalon has been productive since returning in late January from an injury she suffered in the non-conference against LeMoyne.

Mississippi State transfer Ramani Parker has improved in every outing since she made her long-awaited Pirate debut earlier this month at Creighton. Parker had been dealing with injuries since the start of the 2023-24 season. The graduate student has been an anchor in the paint while averaging five points per game off the bench for Seton Hall.

Also, freshman Jada Eads received her fifth BIG EAST Freshman of the Week nod on Monday for her impressive performances against both Marquette and Providence. Eads led the Pirates with 13 points against the Friars, and ranks second on the team in scoring with 14.5 points per game.

On the other hand, UConn head coach Geno Auriemma in his 40th season may have one of his most talented groups yet.

The Huskies are coming off their biggest win of the season, taking down Dawn Staley and number four South Carolina in Columbia on Sunday. UConn snapped a ridiculous 71-game home winning streak for the Gamecocks that had stretched back to the 2020-21 season. Azzi Fudd finished with 28 points to lead UConn. Rebounding was the difference in the game, as UConn outperformed South Carolina on the glass 48-29.

The backcourt duo of Fudd and Paige Bueckers is arguably the best in the nation, as they both have caused problems for defenses all season. Bueckers has been the leader on this UConn team as a senior, averaging 14.8 points while shooting 52% from the field. Fudd has averaged over 26 points in her last three matchups and has shot lights out from beyond the arc, shooting 62% in that span.

The Pirates will need to play at their absolute best if they want to compete with the Huskies at home. Look for Seton Hall to drive the lane and get to the free-throw line often. Controlling the pace of the game will be key.

The reserves for the Pirates will also need to make much more of an impact in Wednesday's rematch; Seton Hall notably only had two bench points in their first matchup with the Huskies.

Walsh Gymnasium will be completely sold out with the Huskies in South Orange. Joe Morales and Michael Bellifemini will be on the call for WSOU 89.5 FM at 7:00 p.m. Pregame coverage starts at 6:30 p.m with Pat Corsello and Jack Pine.

AJ Rayer can be reached at alexander.rayer@student.shu.edu. 

 

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