Eads' Double-Double Powers Pirates in WBIT Opener

Published: Thursday, March 20, 2025

by Brian Henderson

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. — The Seton Hall Pirates (23-9) advanced in the WBIT on Thursday night with a 57-40 win over Quinnipiac (28-5), securing the program’s first-ever victory in the tournament.

It was their first home game since Feb. 27, and the Pirates delivered another beatdown at historic Walsh Gymnasium. Jada Eads recorded her first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Eads, Faith Masonius, and Savannah Catalon matched Quinnipiac’s 40 points by themselves.

Seton Hall needed a big first quarter after its performance in the Big East Tournament, and it delivered. The Hall outscored Quinnipiac 17-7, forcing six turnovers and holding the Bobcats to just 2-of-14 shooting from the field. Quinnipiac also struggled from beyond the arc, making only one of seven attempts.

However, it was a tale of two quarters in the first half of the matchup. The Bobcats began to find cracks in the Seton Hall defense, driving into the paint and kicking out to open shooters beyond the arc. Quinnipiac shot 43% from the field and from 3-point range in the second quarter, cutting the Hall’s lead to just six at halftime.

The Pirates got strong offensive contributions from Yaya Lops, Masonius, and Catalon, but Eads struggled with her shot early. The star freshman went 1-for-8 in the first 20 minutes.

The second half was when the Pirates put their foot on the gas and never looked back. The Bobcats were held to 18 points over the final two quarters, shooting 31% from the field and going ice cold from 3-point range.  After shooting 35% from beyond the arc all year, Quinnipiac went 0-for-7 with its season hanging in the balance.

Eads’s shooting woes were erased in the third and fourth quarters, as she hit 50% of her shots in the second half and collected six of her 10 rebounds after halftime. Seton Hall as a team, especially the guards, was phenomenal crashing the boards. Eads, Catalon, Amari Wright, and Kaydan Lawson combined for 32 of the team’s 46 rebounds.

Seton Hall wins its first postseason game in 735 days, dating back to a 2023 victory over St. Joseph's at Walsh Gymnasium. The last time a 20-win Seton Hall team entered the postseason, it advanced to the WNIT championship. This year’s squad will look to replicate that success—and more.

The Pirates will stay home and take on the Portland Pilots, who outlasted Stanford on Thursday night. Joe Morales and Michael Federico will be on the call on 89.5 FM from Walsh Gymnasium.

Brian Henderson is an Assistant News Director at WSOU and can be reached at brian.henderson1@student.shu.edu. 

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