Hall to Battle Hawks in Thanksgiving Classic Final
11/29/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
NR/RV SETON HALL (4-1) vs. SAINT JOSEPH'S (2-3)
South Orange, N.J. (Walsh Gymnasium) • Sunday, Nov. 30 • 2:30 PM
Broadcast: Pirate Sports Network (Play-by-play: Jon Schaeffer)
Radio: 89.5 FM WSOU (Play-by-play: George Balekji; Color: Rich Fields)
Seton Hall Game Notes 
| Saint Joseph's Game Notes | Live Video |
The Seton Hall University women's basketball team will get right back to work as the Pirates host Saint Joseph's in the SHU Thanksgiving Classic championship game on Sunday afternoon in Walsh Gymnasium at 2:30 p.m.
Seton Hall cruised to a 75-45 victory over Saint Peter's on Saturday afternoon, while Saint Joseph's pulled away from St. Francis (N.Y.) for a 64-42 win in its tournament semifinal.
Usually the spotlight is firmly affixed on Ka-Deidre Simmons for the Pirates, and of course that will be no different on Sunday, as she leads the Pirates and is amongst the BIG EAST leaders in scoring with 19.2 ppg. However, Daisha Simmons and Bra'Shey Ali led the way for The Hall against Saint Peter's, while Ka-Deidre Simmon saw her double-figure scoring streak come to an end after 33 games, this after she eclipsed 20 points in three-straight for the first time in her career.
Daisha Simmons was nearly unstoppable on Saturday, making her 30 points look easy as she shot 12-for-19 from the field while pulling down eight boards with four steals. Saint Peter's had no answer for the dynamic graduate guard, and Seton Hall will need her to step up again on Sunday on short rest.
In the front court, Bra'Shey Ali has been dominant, averaging a double-double with 11.6 points and 10.2 rebounds per game with a double-double in back-to-back games, with 12 points and 10 rebounds against Saint Peter's.
With Ali and Janee Johnson, who had a career-high 11 rebounds against the Peacocks, leading the way, Seton Hall outrebounded an opponent for the first time this season, but still faces a negative rebound margin (-3.2) for the season. Saint Joseph's faces a similar plight, averaging just 38.4 rebounds per game this year, so the ability to control the interior and limit second chance opportunities will play a big role on Sunday.
Seton Hall will also be charged with stopping talented guard Natasha Cloud, who ranks second for the Hawks in scoring (12.6 ppg), while leading the team in assists (31) and rebounds (34). She had 16 points, eight assists and seven assists in the victory over the Terriers.
SETON HALL STATUS
- Behind a tremendous performance from Daisha Simmons, who finished with 30 points on 12-for-19 shooting, Seton Hall cruised to a 75-45 victory over Saint Peter's on Saturday.
- The Pirates extended their lead in the second half with defensive pressure, forcing a 24 turnovers with a season-high 15 steals; SHU outscored Saint Peter's 31-6 in points off turnovers.
- For the first time this season, Seton Hall outrbounded an opponent, boasting a 46-41 edge on the glass against Saint Peter's. Janee Johnson (11) and Bra'Shey Ali (10) both had double-digit rebounds for The Hall.
SAINT JOSEPH'S STATUS
- Saint Joseph's easily moved past St. Francis (N.Y.) in the Thanksgiving Classic semifinals on Saturday, picking up a 64-42 win.
- Three starters finished in double figures for the Hawks, who were led by Natasha Cloud's 16 points on an efficient 7-for-9 effort from the field.
- Saint Joseph's took just nine threes in the win over St. Francis, but outscored the Terrier's 38-18 in the paint.
- Four of Saint Joseph's starters average double figures and each of those four player more than 30 minutes a game.
- Cloud, who shined in the win on Saturday, is the Hawks' most dynamic threat, ranking second on the team in scoring (12.6 ppg), and first in assists (6.2 apg) and rebounds (6.8 rpg).
SETON HALL VS. THE ATLANTIC 10
- Seton Hall has quite a bit of experience historically when facing the current members of the Atlantic 10.
- The Pirates are 36-22 all-time against the current members of the A-10, including a 6-4 mark against Saint Joseph's.
- The only team out of the Atlantic 10 the Pirates have faced as many times as Saint Joseph's is La Salle, a program the Pirates have an 8-2 record against all-time.
Daisha Simmons ERUPTS FOR 30
- Graduate guard Daisha Simmons enjoyed her best game in a Pirate uniform, scoring 30 points in a 75-45 win over Saint Peter's on Nov. 29.
- It was an efficient offensive game for Simmons, who shot 12-for-19 from the field and also had eight rebounds and four steals.
- She is the second Seton Hall player this season to top 30 points in a game; Tabatha Richardson-Smith scored 32 at West Virginia.
- The 30 points is not a collegiate career-high for Simmons, who recorded a triple-double against Troy on Dec. 20, 2013, with 37 points 11 rebounds and 11 assists.
PIRATES PLUNDER THE GLASS
- Seton Hall won the battle of the boards for the first time this season, outrebounding Saint Peter's 46-41.
- Seton Hall failed to outrebound each of its first four opponents after having a +2.5 rebound advantage last season.
- The Pirates saw a pair of players record double-digit rebounds in the win. Janee Johnson notched a career-best 11 boards while Bra'Shey Ali grabbed 10 rebounds to go along with 12 points.
TURNING THEM OVER
- Seton Hall forced 24 turnovers in its win over Saint Peter's and recorded a season-high 15 steals in the process.
- The Pirates scored 31 points off of those 21 turnovers, the most off extra possessions since scoring 31 points off turnovers in a win over Georgetown on Jan. 18, 2014.
