Seton Hall women’s basketball earned its toughest win of its young season on Thursday, defeating Fordham University 90–83 in a double-overtime thriller at Walsh Gymnasium to improve to 4–0.
The matchup was close from start to finish, with the Pirates’ largest lead being only seven and Fordham’s just five. Ultimately, it was Savannah Catalon’s fourth quarter and overtime heroics, along with Mariana Valenzuela’s career-high 21 points, that pushed SHU past a Rams squad carried by the crazy performance of junior guard Alexis Black.
The Pirates held a 36–34 halftime lead, but Fordham’s Black quickly became the story of the game. The junior guard exploded for 42 points, breaking the Fordham single-game women’s scoring record previously held by Jeanine Radice (40 points vs. Drexel on Dec. 5, 1987). Black’s shot-making, deep threes, and stepbacks kept SHU from pulling away.
Junior guard Savannah Catalon scoring a right-handed layup | Photo via Micheal Minardo | The Setonian
But the fourth quarter belonged to Catalon. The junior guard scored 11 of her 20 points in the fourth, attacking the rim when SHU desperately needed a spark.
Even then, the Pirates nearly let the game slip away. With SHU trailing 71–70, sophomore guard Jada Eads was called for a controversial offensive foul with just 28 seconds remaining. Moments later, down 72–70, Jordana Codio was whistled for an illegal screen with four seconds left, capping off a difficult night for the senior guard (1–for-11 shooting from the field and six fouls).
Fordham then stepped to the line with a chance to ice the game—but missed both free throws, giving the Pirates life. On the second miss, Catalon grabbed the rebound, was fouled with 0.9 seconds remaining, and calmly hit two clutch free throws to send the game to overtime at 72–72.
The first overtime was no different than regulation, as both teams went back and forth. The period ended with Catalon getting a clean look at a game-winning floater that bounced off the back iron as time expired, sending the game into a second overtime.
In double OT, SHU finally pulled away. Their defense came alive throughout the period, and with just over a minute remaining, senior forward Messiah Hunter drilled a clutch three-pointer—the first of her career—that put the Pirates up two possessions and effectively secured the 90–83 victory.
Eads, who scored 16 points (4–for-16 from the field, 2-for-7 from beyond the arc) despite being sick, was praised by head coach Anthony Bozzella after the game.
“She wasn’t supposed to play today,” Bozzella said. “I’m super proud of her performance.”
Bozzella also credited his bench unit, calling them “the group that’s going to separate us from other teams.” He specifically highlighted sophomore guard Ja’Kahla Craft, who grabbed seven offensive rebounds, scored seven points, and had relentless energy throughout the game.
Bozzella saved his biggest compliment for Catalon, calling her “one of the greatest players to ever play here” after her clutch performance that started late in the fourth quarter.
With the win, SHU improves to 4–0, while Fordham drops to 3–3. Although just tested by the Rams, the Pirates now turn their attention to their toughest test yet: a road trip to Princeton University (3–1) on Dec. 2.
Jaden Highsmith is the assistant editor of The Setonian’s Sports section. He can be reached at jaden.highsmith@student.shu.edu.
