Pirates Handle Business vs Butler, 71-48

Published: Wednesday, January 29, 2025

by Lauren Reese

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J - The Seton Hall Pirates (15-5, 7-2) took care of business against the Butler Bulldogs (12-11, 2-8), 71-48. The Pirates held the Bulldogs to just 11 points in the first half, displaying that lockdown defense fans know all too well. 

In her second game back from injury, Savannah Catalon led the night in scoring with 15 points, going 6-6 from the free throw line and snagging three steals. Following up behind her was Jada Eads, who tallied 14 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. The sophomore-freshman duo is shaping up to cause quite some double trouble in the conference. 

Still, one cannot forget about veteran Faith Masonius, who has taken on a guiding role for the younger players, as well as the team as a whole. Despite fouling out with six minutes left in the fourth quarter, she gathered 12 points and four rebounds on the night. 

The first quarter of action saw slow starts from both teams, but the execution of a full-court press from Coach Bozzella's team began to turn the tide in his favor. While neither team saw a dominant offensive performance, Seton Hall’s defense forced eight turnovers just in that quarter. Coach Bozzella emphasized in his pregame interview that he wanted his team to win the turnover battle by eight… his team would go on to force 28 total after all 40 minutes of play, while having just 12 themselves.

Masonius and Messiah Hunter added points to the scoresheet, and Catalon specifically went four of four from the free throw line. After the first ten, the Hall was ahead 12-6.

The second quarter was entirely dominated by Seton Hall. Eads, Catalon, and Ja-Kahla Craft all turned up their jets and registered steals, and the entire team continued to force the Bulldogs into making sloppy mistakes.

The momentum truly shifted at the five-minute mark, where a bucket from Hunter and two from Yaya Lops gave the Pirates a 5-0 run in 34 seconds. The Pirates were finding chemistry with whoever was on the court at any given moment, and entered the break up 30-11. 

While the Pirates continued to cruise along, it was clear in the third and fourth quarters of action that a much more energetic Butler team emerged from the locker room. Most of that intensity was from freshman Jocelyn Land, who had 11 of the team’s first 13 points of the half. In just 15 minutes of play total, she set a career-high 14 points. She and other freshman Lily Zeinstra paced Butler’s attempt to attack, as Zeinstra set a new career-high rebound total tonight with 11.

Additionally, amidst the second half, the triad of Catalon, Eads, and Masonius found themselves in some foul trouble, each individual with three. Coach Bozzella went to his bench and utilized a variety of players, including Hunter, Craft, and Joniyah Bland-Fitzpatrick. Eads ended the quarter with a teardrop bucket to push the score to 50-34.

The final quarter saw the same aggression from Butler, but not enough to cause any serious runs or damage. At one point having a lineup on the court mostly underclassmen, the Pirates remained composed and steadfast on their journey to their 15th overall victory. They slowed down their tempo and took careful care and consideration with their ball movement, never showing any concerns, and closed the game, 71-48.

The Pirates will turn their attention next to Feb. 1st when they head out to Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois, to take on the DePaul Blue Demons. In a physical BIG EAST conference where every victory matters just the tiniest bit more, especially as March grows closer, the Pirates must continue to keep their foot on the gas. 

Lauren Reese is an Assistant Sports Director and Web Editor at WSOU and can be reached at lauren.reese@student.shu.edu. 

 

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