Despite the momentum from two consecutive Big East wins, the Seton Hall women’s basketball team fell to No. 9 Connecticut by a score of 71-38 on the road in Gampel Pavilion.
The Pirates struggled early as a Sidney Cooks layup in the first minute was the only lead the team had throughout the entire game. An Andra Espinoza-Hunter deep ball to tie the game at 5 led to a 9-0 run for the Huskies in the opening frame. Unfortunately for the Hall, this was as close as it would be for the remainder of the game. No. 9 Connecticut led 21-11 by the end of the first quarter, where Cooks had four early points.
Seton Hall shot just 1-for-9 from downtown through the first half as they saw themselves falling behind. The lead was cut to just 11 after Lauren Park-Lane found Cooks on the baseline once again by the Pirates, though the Huskies responded with six straight to take a 34-17 lead. Connecticut headed into the half with a commanding 37-21 lead. Curtessia Dean’s last-second layup gave Seton Hall an ounce of hope headed into the break.
Things were no different in the second half, with the Huskies going on consecutive 9-2 and 10-2 runs to run away with the game for good. No. 9 Connecticut’s pressing defense held Seton Hall to under 10 points in the third and fourth quarters. Connecticut would go on to win the game, 71-38.
UConn held the Pirates to just three made shots from behind the arc on 14 attempts, and 15-for-53 overall. Seton Hall was outrebounded 53-to-23 on the evening. Cooks led the team with 10 points and three rebounds, while Park-Lane added five points, four assists, and six rebounds.
Seton Hall looks to bounce back on their road trip as the return to action on Wednesday, January 26th in Milwaukee to face Marquette at 8:00 pm.
