Credit: GR Productions
Pirates Look to Continue Historic Start vs Creighton
Published: Saturday, January 11, 2025
by Kyle Ferreira
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ - The Seton Hall Pirates (12-3) return to the court Saturday to battle one of the BIG EAST’s best, the Creighton Bluejays (13-3).
The start of 2025 has been more than incredible for the Pirates, rather extraordinary. With the game-winner from Faith Masonius on New Year’s Day, to the overtime thriller on Saturday, the Pirates are on a roll. As a result of their tremendous conference play start, the Pirates are 4-0 in BIG EAST play for the first time in program history.
Looking back at their last matchup vs Georgetown, Jada Eads was the spark plug for this Pirates squad. Eads was making key passes, attacking defensively, as well contributing scoring wise. Her 27 points became a career-high, but more notably, she had all eight of the Pirates’ points in overtime.
Eads has already shown signs of becoming an elite scorer for the Pirates, which has been crucial for this program. Additionally, the consistent lineup of Masonius, Amari Wright, Yaya Lops and Messiah Hunter in BIG EAST play has been successful. For head coach Tony Bozzella and his staff, it has been a start that has people across the nation recognizing their success.
However, Saturday’s test against Creighton is one that will push the Pirates physically and mentally. A regular in the NCAA Tournament the last three seasons, the Bluejays are arguably the BIG EAST’s second best program, behind UConn. Head coach Jim Flanery and his program come into this matchup also undefeated in BIG EAST at 5-0 and talent is evident.
Lauren Jensen and Morgan Maly have once again been scoring machines for the Bluejays, both being top five in points/game in the BIG EAST. The Bluejays have also registered the second best offense in the BIG EAST with 73.7 Pts/Game. The three ball in particular has been lethal for opposing teams with the Bluejays shooting 37% from the perimeter.
The Bluejays did experience a scare however on Wednesday night vs Marquette, where they held on to win 71-68. Maly’s 28 points and her efficient 8 for 9 from three was the difference maker to continue Creighton’s success in BIG EAST play.
For the Pirates, this squad has been battle tested on multiple occasions this season and they understand the magnitude of this game. The Bluejays were a team they dueled three times last season with all their meetings being decided by less than ten points. However, Seton Hall did not come away with a single win, with Creighton eliminating them in the BIG EAST Tournament last spring.
While still early in BIG EAST play, a major home victory over Creighton would continue to improve the Pirates’ resume for the NCAA Tournament.
Catch the game live on 89.5 FM WSOU on Saturday at noon with pregame coverage starting at 11:30 a.m. Lauren Reese and Patrick Corsello will be on the call for this big time BIG EAST contest.
Kyle Ferreira can be reached at kyle.ferreira@student.shu.edu.Posted in: sports,