The Seton Hall women’s basketball team concluded its 2024-2025 season with a narrow defeat against Portland, falling 61-55 in the second round of the Women’s Basketball Invitational Tournament (WBIT) on March 23, 2025. Despite leading for a significant portion of the game and enjoying an eight-point advantage with just over five minutes remaining, the Pirates were unable to maintain their composure as Portland staged a remarkable comeback, finishing the game with a 15-1 run that secured their win.
Freshman standout Jada Eads led the Pirates with an impressive double-double performance, scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, marking this as her ninth game leading the team in scoring. Yaya Lops also contributed significantly to the team’s effort, adding 13 points to the scoreboard. Despite these solid performances, Seton Hall ultimately finished their season with a record of 23-10 after falling to Portland.
In terms of statistics, the Pirates shot 36.7% from the field, hitting 22 of their 60 attempts, while Portland managed a better shooting percentage at 42.0%, making 21 of their 50 shots. Seton Hall impressed defensively as they forced 16 turnovers by the opposing team, converting them into 14 points on the offensive end. However, Portland also held their own, forcing 13 turnovers against the Pirates, showcasing the tight defensive battle that characterized the matchup.
The game statistics further revealed Seton Hall’s advantages on the boards, where they edged Portland 33-31 in total rebounds, dominating the offensive glass with 12 offensive rebounds compared to Portland’s 8. The Pirates also scored 12 second-chance points, outscoring their opponents in this category as well. Yet, these advantages were overshadowed by their inability to score in crucial moments of the game.
Despite these positive stats, the critical moments of the game were overshadowed by a late-game collapse; Seton Hall failed to score in the final five minutes, missing all seven of their attempts from the field as fatigue appeared to set in. This was the Pirates’ first loss of the season in which they out-shot their opponent, showing a glaring vulnerability under pressure that will need to be addressed during the offseason.
Following the conclusion of their season, the Seton Hall women's basketball program will turn its attention to recruiting and strengthening their roster for the forthcoming season. The performances by Eads and Lops throughout the season provided a strong foundation upon which they can build. Eads, given her current trajectory, will look to continue her development and build on her leading scorer role, while Lops looks to contribute further as well.
The overall takeaway from this season is one of resilience and determination amidst challenges. The Pirates showcased their skills and competitive spirit throughout the season, but this unexpected ending underlines the necessity of refining their late-game strategies. As they regroup for the next season, addressing their end-of-game performances will be pivotal if they aspire for a deeper tournament run in the future.
As the Seton Hall Pirates reflect on this season, they carry with them the lessons learned and experiences gained, focused on enhancing their performances and strategies. The path forward promises renewed hopes and potential as they prepare to face the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead in the basketball landscape.
