Pirates Continue Homestand Against Sacred Heart

Published: Monday, December 9, 2024

by Jack Pine

From Walsh Gymnasium in South Orange, the Seton Hall women’s basketball team (6-2) will look to extend their homestand success as they take on the Sacred Heart Pioneers (3-4) on Monday evening.

The Pirates come into this one with a lot of momentum, as they’ve won their last two games against San Francisco and Howard. These victories come after a devastating home loss against Princeton and a neutral site loss to No. 6 USC in Palm Springs, Calif.

The Hall was firing on all cylinders against the Howard Bison as they glided their way to the win. After a slow start, the Pirates finished the first half on an astounding 35-3 run to give them a 49-24 lead. Five players would score in double figures during the 87-63 blowout win.

Seton Hall’s offense has been powered by Savannah Catalon, who has been on a tear for 47 points across the last two games, including 11 baskets from beyond the arc. Catalon had gotten off to a slow start offensively this season, only scoring 8.5 points per game through the first six games before the recent surge.

Graduate transfer Faith Masonius has been a steady force for the Pirates, leading the team with 18.1 points per game. A former Maryland standout, Masonius earned her third consecutive BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll recognition on Dec. 2, solidifying her impact on and off the court.

Sacred Heart enters Monday’s game after a banner 2022-23 season in which the team went 15-1 in conference play, claimed the NEC Championship, and made its first NCAA Tournament appearance. However, the transition to the MAAC has been challenging, with the Pioneers sitting below .500 and enduring a three-game skid against Boston College, NJIT, and UAlbany.

Ny’Ceara Pryor has led the way on both sides for the Pioneers, averaging 18.0 points per game and 4.1 steals per game. The two-time NEC Player of the Year is coming off of a season-high 24 points against Morgan State on Thursday.

Seton Hall has controlled the series history, holding a 4-0 record against Sacred Heart. Their most previous meeting came in Seton Hall’s home opener back in 2019, where the Pirates ran away with a 95-69 victory.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. as the Pirates look for their third consecutive victory. Pregame coverage will start at 6:45 p.m. with analysis from Spencer Gonzales and Lauren Reese. CJ Weipz and Nick Powell will have the call from Walsh Gymnasium.

Jack Pine is an Assistant Sports Director/Sports Web Editor at WSOU 89.5 FM and can be reached at john.pine@student.shu.edu. 

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