Seton Hall tamed the herd and dominated the Howard Bison, 87-63, in historic Walsh Gymnasium on Friday, Dec. 6.
The Pirates rebounded in a big way after a loss to the sixth-ranked USC Trojans with a win against the San Francisco Dons on Dec. 2. Howard was looking to bounce back after a brutal six-point loss to Georgetown on Dec. 1.
The Howard offense thrived off graduate student Destiny Howell. The 2022-23 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference player of the year tallied 10 of the Bison’s 16 first-quarter points to go with two assists and a steal, helping Howard take a 16-8 lead just 6:08 minutes into the game.
The Seton Hall offense came back to life after the first media timeout with a couple of 3-pointers from Pirate sophomore Savannah Catalon. The Hall cut the deficit down to one to end the first quarter at a score of 21-20.
The Pirate offense started the second quarter strong, quickly racking up 16 points in the first five minutes while keeping Howard from scoring. This surge propelled them to a commanding 37-22 lead. Howard’s offense stumbled throughout the entire quarter, turning the ball over 10 times while making just one field goal.
Seton Hall managed to add more than double their first-quarter point total, taking a 49-24 lead into the second half, which was led by Catalon’s 16 points and three steals. Hall graduate student Faith Masonius added 12 points to go with three rebounds and three assists.
Both offenses came out the blocks hot with Bison forward Zennia Thomas working in the paint for her seven points in the quarter. On the other side, Seton Hall freshman Jada Eads, in her first collegiate start, scored nine of her 14 points.
The Hall proceeded to let the second stringers play the first half of the fourth quarter, as sophomore Sydnee Eggleton led the way with five points. For the Bison, Thomas continued to add to her totals, tallying eight of her own to take her to her game-high total of 25 points and 12 rebounds. Howell followed with 12 of her own, however going scoreless from the start of the second quarter until nearly the end of the fourth.
Five Pirate players scored in double figures, with Catalon leading the way at 21 points, one game after scoring a career-high 26 against San Francisco. Masonius followed up with 16 points and five assists.
Seton Hall will look to continue their streak as they face the Le Moyne Dolphins on Saturday, Dec. 14 at Walsh Gymnasium.
John Misiewicz writes for The Setonian’s Sports section. He can be reached at john.misiewicz@student.shu.edu.
