Jackson Ignites Pirate Offense in 83-61 Victory

Tuesday, December 31

Cincinnati, Ohio / Cintas Center

1:00 PM

Seton Hall University

9-4,2-0Big East

Xavier

1-12,0-2Big East

Seton Hall

Xavier

12/31/2019 4:02:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score HOME INFO BOX SCORE

CINCINNATI, OHIO – In front of 250 family and friends, freshman Mya Jackson (Wilmington, Ohio) erupted for a career-high 25 points as the Seton Hall women's basketball team trounced Xavier, 83-61, on Tuesday.

Jackson was brilliant, missing only three shots on the afternoon in a 9-for-12 performance from the field. She was 7-for-9 from three-point range and also grabbed five rebounds in 21 minutes of action.

Senior Shadeen Samuels (Ossining, N.Y.) finished with 17 points to go with six rebounds, two assists and three steals, while junior Desiree Elmore (Hartford, Conn.) was a third Pirate to reach double-figures with 10 points to go with six rebounds.

Seton Hall improves to 2-0 in BIG EAST Conference play for the first time since the 2015-16 season.

The Story:
Both teams had trouble scoring as the game began, but once the Pirates got started, they didn't stop. The Hall scored 15 of the game's first 16 points, capped by a Samuels layup. Meanwhile, The Hall's defense didn't allow a Xavier field goal until there was only 2:04 left in the first quarter. Although the lead was as many as 14, the Pirates took a 23-12 lead into the second quarter.

Leading 29-14 with 8:27 left in the second quarter, the Pirates went on a 15-4 run over the next 7:00 minutes, and a jumper along the baseline by Jasmine Smith (Houston, Texas) gave The Hall a commanding 46-20 advantage. Xavier scored the final five points of the first half, but The Hall still took a 21-point lead into the break.

Xavier started the second half with an 8-1 run to cut The Hall's lead to 47-33 less than two minutes into the third quarter, and the rest of the quarter remained close. Jackson's end-to-end layup to beat the third quarter buzzer gave The Hall a 62-49 advantage entering the fourth.

Seton Hall put the game away at the start of the fourth quarter. A 9-0 run on a pair of three-pointers by Jackson sandwiched around one by Barbara Johnson (Toronto, Ontario) gave the Pirates a 71-49 lead with 7:55 left in the game. Xavier never cut their deficit to less than 17 points the rest of the way.

After a 25-point outburst, Mya Jackson was interviewed post-game by the BIG EAST Digital Network.#HALLin pic.twitter.com/QVLJRl629N
— Seton Hall WBB (@SHUWBB) December 31, 2019

Inside the Numbers:

Seton Hall was 29-for-71 (40.8%) from the floor for the game, while Xavier was 18-for-53 (34.0%). The Hall was 12-for-27 (44.4%) from three-point range, while the Musketeers were 8-for-14 (57.1%).
Jackson had a career-high 25 points on 9-for-12 shooting from the floor, including 7-for-9 from three-point range. She also had five rebounds.
The Hall out-rebounded Xavier, 44-to-38, which included a 16-to-9 advantage on the offensive boards and a 16-to-7 lead in second-chance points.
Samuels finished with 17 points to go with six rebounds, three steals and two assists.
Seton Hall was 13-for-18 (72.2%) from the free-throw line, while Xavier was 17-for-23 (73.9%).
Elmore had 10 points, six rebounds and two assists.
Seton Hall forced 22 turnovers, while Xavier forced 14. The Pirates had 33 points off turnovers, compared to just 15 for Xavier.
Junior Selena Philoxy (Queens, N.Y.) had a game-high 12 rebounds to go with six points and three assists.

Mya Jackson finished 2019 with a flourish!! Let's take another look at all seven of her three-pointers in our win at Xavier.#HALLin pic.twitter.com/we2WF36C14
— Seton Hall WBB (@SHUWBB) December 31, 2019

News & Notes:

Seton Hall improves to 9-4 overall and 2-0 in the BIG EAST, while Xavier falls to 1-12 and 0-2 in conference play.
The Pirates have won their first two BIG EAST games for the first time since the 2015-16 season.
The Pirates are now 11-3 all-time against Xavier and avenges a pair of losses to the Musketeers last year.
With 17 points today, Samuels needs just five more to become the 22^nd player in Seton Hall women's basketball history to record 1,000 career points.
With the victory, Seton Hall improves to an impressive 6-1 all-time on New Year's Eve. The Hall has won the last two on the road in BIG EAST play.
Seton Hall improves to a perfect 9-0 when connecting on more field goals than its opponent.
Seton Hall forced 22 turnovers today. It's the eighth time this season, and the fourth game in a row that the Pirates have forced at least 20 in a game. Conversely, The Hall has committed 20 turnovers only once.
Philoxy reached double-figures in rebounds for the fourth time this season, and the 14^th time in her career.
Samuels scored in double-figures for the sixth time this season and the 40^th time of her career, most among Seton Hall active players.
Elmore scored in double-figures for the ninth straight game and the 11^th time in 12 games this season. She now has 25 such games in her career.

Up Next:
Seton Hall will return to the friendly confines of Walsh Gymnasium on January 3 when it hosts Villanova for a Friday matinee. The game will be a BIG EAST Digital Network broadcast, and of course will be provided on the radio by 89.5 FM WSOU and wsou.net. Tip-time is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.