South Orange, NJ – Senior Day at Seton Hall saw the women post a 66-53 victory over Butler. Sunday’s Big East regular season finale at Walsh Gymnasium proved to be a defensive battle. One that improved Seton hall to 18-11 (11-7) while the visitors fell to 19-10 (11-7). The points of emphasis:
Defense. The eye test and numbers were in agreement. Seton Hall locked down Butler with an aggressive man to man defense. The Bulldogs managed 53 points, ten below their season average. On the numeric side, the 67 possession affair saw Butler struggle with a 79 offensive efficiency. In addition the pirates forced 26 turnovers forcing Butler into an alarming 39 per cent turnover rate. Seton Hall coach Tony Bozzella made an excellent late game adjustment. With approximately four minutes remaining Bozzella ordered the Pirates to shift to a 2-3 zone. The move completely off balance and negated any chance of a comeback.
The offense was not great. While Seton Hall did the job on the defensive end, their offense struggled. The Pirates posted a 99 offensive efficiency, not a bad number. Bozzella was upset with the 15 turnovers his group was guilty of along the way. Butler ball pressure contributed to those errors of commission. “Our offense really was not so great today, ” Bozzella admitted, “but we found a way to win.”
Seniors had their day. Shadeen Samuels (23 points) and Alexis Lewis (20) combined for 43 of Seton Hall’s 66 points. The senior duo provided Seton Hall with points and energy allowing the pirates to finish up on a high note. Samuels also played some excellent defense on Kristen Spolyar of Butler. The senior wing was held to 8 points, 10 below her average.
Seton Hall’s victory created a five way tie for third in conference standings. Seton Hall Butler, Creighton, Villanova and St.John’s all stand at 11-7. “It’s a bit insane,” Butler coach Kurt Godlevske remarked. “Insane but a lot of fun for the fans.”
They will meet again. Seton Hall swept the season series from the Bulldogs. Through the maze of tie breakers it was determined by Sunday evening the Pirated will face Butler in the Big East quarterfinals at Chicago’s Wintrust arena on Saturday. Bozzella expected as much saying “we have to be a different team (offensively) when we face them (Butler) again.” For Bozzella and his group there is a week to smooth the rough edges and prepare for round three with Butler.
Tough way to finish up. Butler came up short in both games on their metropolitan area road swing. The Bulldogs dropped a tough one 85-80 in overtime at St.John’s on Friday before heading to dropping Sunday’s meeting with the Hall.
Leading scorers:
Butler- Genesis Parker 14 points. Lone Bulldog in double figures. Shot 6 of 9 from the floor.
Kristen Spolyar 8. Shot 2 of 8 from the field and really struggled to get a clean look.
Seton Hall- Shadeen Samuels 23 points. Perfect 7 of 7 from the line and 8 for 14 from the floor. Those 5 turnovers, a negative in a strong all around outing.
Alexis Lewis 20 points. Lewis went 3 of 6 from downtown, 7 of 12 overall.
Good to see Stephanie DeWolfe in attendance. The former Saint Peter’s standout and head coach is a mother of three and very busy in her own right. “Some things I do not miss about coaching,” she said. “I do miss being in practice every day with the kids and the games as well.” Stephanie stays active getting out to games and giving back by coaching first grade ball.
