Pirates Pick Up Wild Road Win At Princeton

Wednesday, November 14

Princeton, N.J.

6 p.m.

Seton Hall University

4-0

Princeton

1-2

SHU

Princeton

11/14/2018 9:36:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score BOX (PDF)

PRINCETON, N.J. – Down seven with 2:15 to play, the Seton Hall women's basketball team (4-0) made a furious late charge and picked up a 70-66 win at Princeton (1-2) on Wednesday night at Jadwin Gymnasium. Nicole Jimenez (Miami Fla.) hit a go-ahead lay-up with 4.8 seconds to play in a 15-point effort and Shadeen Samuels (Ossining, N.Y.) went for a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double.

The Pirates jumped out to a big early lead, opening the game on an 11-0 run and building a 14-point halftime advantage. The Tigers scratched their way back and got within three heading to the fourth quarter. Princeton would take its first lead of the with 6:47 to go in regulation, then pushed its advantage to seven at 66-59 with 2:15 to go.

Turning Point
After a timeout, The Hall got back within two possession when Samuels knocked down a 3-pointer with 1:56 to play that cut PU's lead to 66-62. Desiree Elmore (Hartfordn, Conn.) grabbed a big defensive rebound on the next possession, before Kaela Hilaire (Queens, N.Y.) got a tough lay-up to go with 1:02 to play. The Pirates turned on their press after pulling within a possession and pressure from Elmore and Jimenez forced a 10-second violation with 48 seconds to go.

On the ensuing inbounds play, Hilaire found Samuels underneath for a banked lay-in that tied the score at 66-66 with 40 ticks remaining. The Hall came up with another big stand on the other end as Elmore drew a charge to give the Pirates the ball back with 10.8 seconds left. Following a timeout and a sideline inbounds, Hilaire found Jimenez on the right wing for a lay-up high off the glass that went down and gave the Pirates a 68-66 lead. Hilaire iced the game on the ensuing inbounds with a steal and score as time expired.

🎥: @coleynj called game. #HALLin | #HALLdrip pic.twitter.com/4PYkNohYIi
— Seton Hall WBB (@SHUWBB) November 15, 2018

Head Coach Anthony Bozzella on the result
"I thought this was a big character win. I'm really proud of the girls for fighting back, especially on the road against a great opponent. Nicole [Jimenez] really embodies what this team needs to be, hard-working and never giving up so it was fitting that she made the last shot. I'm also thrilled by the way KK [Hilaire] has continued to grow and develop in this new system and she made some huge plays for us down the stretch."

Inside The Numbers

The Hall shot 43.9 percent (29-66) from the floor and 36.7 (11-30) from 3-point range
In addition to Samuels and Jimenez, Inja Butina (Zagreb, Croatia) also finished in double-figures with 13 points
The Hall assisted on 22 of its 29 field goals, led by seven helpers from Hilaire
The Pirates finished with a slight +1 edge in the turnover margin and out-scored the Tigers by three off miscues
Jimenez' 15 points came on a 5-9 day from the floor and 4-8 effort from 3-point range

News and Notes

The Hall improves to 12-6 all-time against Princeton and 3-2 under Bozzella
The 4-0 start to the season for Seton Hall is its best since opening the 2015-16 season 7-0
Samuels double-double was the third of her career and second 20-10 game
The Pirates have hit double-digit 3-pointers in two of four contests this season
Samuels has scored in double-figures in all four contests this season
With seven more assists on Wednesday, Hilaire is averaging 5.5 per game over four contests

What's Next
The Pirates head cross-coast this weekend, traveling to the Golden State for a Sunday afternoon match-up at UCLA.