Success in college basketball often comes down to stopping your opponent's best weapon and playing to your own strengths. For the Seton Hall women's basketball team, that means focusing on perimeter defense.
Head coach Anthony Bozzella said to compete in the Big East this season, the Pirates must do a better job of limiting three-point shots.
"The threes kill you," Bozzella said. "If we can reduce opponents' attempts from outside, we'll give ourselves a chance in every game."
With that goal in mind, SHU enters the new season with returning leaders and exciting new talent ready to build on last year's success.
The Pirates finished the 2024–2025 season with a 23-10 overall record and a 13-5 mark in BIG EAST play, trailing only national champion University of Connecticut and Creighton University in the standings. SHU proved they can compete, and now the goal is to take the next step forward.
Sophomore guard Jada Eads is an essential returnee. She averaged 13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game in 2024-2025. Eads said she feels confident about this year's team.
"Our ability to shoot is great and we have good freshmen/transfers that can fill our needs," she said.
Her experience and scoring ability will be vital.
Also returning is guard Savannah Catalon, who as a freshman earned unanimous selection to the BIG EAST All-Freshman Team and averaged 7.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 22.8 minutes per game. Her growth will be key for the Pirates as they seek more depth and consistency.
Other than returning players, SHU has a couple of additions to the team.
One significant addition is transfer guard Jordana Codio, who came from the Texas Longhorns women's basketball program. In Texas, she played 24 games in 2024-2025 with limited minutes (4.8 per game, averaging 1.4 points).
At SHU, Codio said she plans to become more of a guard after mainly playing small forward at Texas. This position shift could give the Pirates valuable versatility.
Another exciting new face is freshman Zahara Bishop. Bishop arrives from Minneapolis, where she helped lead her high school team to three straight Class 3A state championships. She is known for her scoring ability and she said she is "extremely confident" in her mid-range pull-up game.
"I don't just want to score; I want to rebound and start transition opportunities for our team as well," Bishop added.
Her two-way mindset fits perfectly into the team's plan.
With the 2025-2026 roster, Coach Bozzella's message is clear: improve by limiting opponents' 3-point attempts while building on the team's scoring strengths.
With Eads and Catalon as proven scorers, plus Codio's experience and Bishop's confidence, SHU has a roster that looks deeper and more versatile than a year ago. Eads' shooting and Catalon's progress give the Pirates a strong returning core. Codio's guard transition offers strategic flexibility. Bishop adds fresh energy and scoring talent.
If the team defends the perimeter better, as Bozzella said he wants, and harnesses its offensive assets, the Pirates could make a real push in the BIG EAST.
This upcoming season is full of promise for SHU's women's program. With the proper focus and execution, the Pirates could be on the cusp of making a larger mark in the BIG EAST.
Jaden Highsmith is the assistant editor of The Setonian’s Sports section. He can be reached at jaden.highsmith@student.shu.edu.
