Disappointing Finish Doesn't Dull Pirates Memorable Run

Saturday, April 2

Brookings, S.D. / Frost Arena

3:00 PM

Seton Hall University

24-13,12-8Big East

South Dakota State

29-9,17-1Summit League

Seton Hall

South Dakota St.

Disappointing Finish Doesn't Dull Pirates Memorable Run

4/2/2022 11:41:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score HOME BOX SCORE (.pdf)

The Pirates fall at South Dakota State, 82-50. Park-Lane and Cooks were named to the All-Tournament Team.

BROOKINGS, S.D. – Seton Hall's magical run to the championship game of the Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) ended on Saturday in an 82-50 loss to South Dakota State. The Pirates remarkable season that saw wins in 16 of their last 19 games comes to an end with a 24-13 final record.

The Hall never led in this one, falling behind early due to an extended 21-1 run by South Dakota State. The Pirates didn't fold, however, and played hard the rest of the way, but the early deficit was too much to overcome. Sidney Cooks (Kenosha, Wis.) and Lauren Park-Lane (Wilmington, Del.) were named to the WNIT All-Tournament Team.

Cooks led the way offensively for the Pirates. She finished with team-highs of 14 points and nine rebounds. Andra Espinoza-Hunter (Ossining, N.Y.) had 10 points and four rebounds.

The Story:
The Pirates couldn't find their shooting touch early in the contest, connecting on just two of their first 15 shots. A jumper by Mya Bembry (West Orange, N.J.) tied the game at four, but South Dakota State went on a 21-1 run to grab a commanding 25-5 advantage with just 1:11 left in the quarter. Cooks scored late to send The Hall not the second quarter down, 25-7.

Curtessia Dean (Monroe, La.) hit a jumper with 8:13 left in the second quarter to cut the Pirates' deficit to 18 points, but the Jackrabbits responded with a 7-0 run to extend its lead to 36-11 with 5:28 before halftime. The Hall entered the locker room down, 40-18, after shooting just 22.6% from the floor in the first half, including 1-for-9 from three-point range.

The Pirates shot just 4-for-17 (23.5%) from the floor in the third quarter as the Jackrabbits outscored The Hall, 22-13. South Dakota State led, 62-31, after three quarters and the Pirates didn't get closer than a 28-point deficit in the fourth.

Inside the Numbers:

Seton Hall was 17-for-64 (26.6%) from the floor for the game, while South Dakota State was 30-for-67 (44.8%). The Hall was 4-for-18 (22.2%) from three-point range, while the Jackrabbits were 8-for-23 (34.8%).
Cooks finished with 14 points, nine rebounds and two steals.
The Jackrabbits out-rebounded The Hall, 57-to-32, which included a 17-to-9 advantage on the offensive glass and a 20-to-6 lead in second-chance points.
Espinoza-Hunter had 10 points, four rebounds and two steals.
Seton Hall was 12-for-15 (80.0%) from the free-throw line, while South Dakota State was 14-for-21 (66.7%).
Seton Hall forced 15 turnovers, while South Dakota State forced 11.

News & Notes:

Seton Hall finishes the season with a 24-13 record, while South Dakota State wins the WNIT Title with a final record of 29-9.
Tonight's game was the 37^th of the season for the Pirates, which adds to a new single-season program record.
This was the first-ever game between Seton Hall and South Dakota State.
The Hall completes its run at the WNIT having played in a maximum of six games and is now 9-7 all-time in the tournament.
Cooks and Park-Lane were named to the WNIT All-Tournament Team.
Seton Hall's 24 wins are its most since collecting 28 victories during the 2014-15 season.
Cooks reached double-figures in scoring for the 19^th straight game, which leads the team.
With two points tonight, Mya Jackson (Wilmington, Ohio) reached the 800 points for her career.
With six made field goals today, Cooks sets Seton Hall's single-season made field goals record with 249.
With eight points today, Park-Lane sets Seton Hall's single-season record for points at 678.
Park-Lane had four more assists today to set the single-season assist record at 260. It's remarkably 66 more than the record prior to this year.