Catalon, Pirates Down Xavier Behind Fourth Quarter Surge, 75-55

Sunday, December 28

South Orange, N.J.

1:00 PM

Seton Hall University

9-4,3-1Big East

Xavier

8-5,1-3Big East

Xavier

Seton Hall

Catalon, Pirates Down Xavier Behind Fourth Quarter Surge, 75-55

12/28/2025 4:33:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score BOX SCORE (.pdf)

Seton Hall out-scored Xavier to begin the fourth quarter, 19-to-2.

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. – Junior Savannah Catalon (Mansfield, Texas) had a game-high 24 points and Mariana Valenzuela (Mazatlan, Mexico) had a double-double as the Seton Hall women's basketball team defeated Xavier, 75-55, in Walsh Gymnasium on Sunday.

For three quarters it was a scrappy, foul-infested affair, until the Pirates offense took control in the final 10 minutes. Seton Hall out-scored Xavier, 26-to-12, in the fourth quarter, which included nine points from Catalon.

Catalon had 24 points, three steals and drew 11 Xavier fouls. Valenzuela tallied 16 points to go with a game-high 10 rebounds and three blocks for her second career double-double.

Jordana Codio (Winter Garden, Fla.) and Ja'Kahla Craft (Elk River, Minn.) came off the bench and scored 12 points apiece.

THE STORY:
Xavier's second made three-pointer in the first minute and a half of the game gave it an early 6-3 lead in the opening quarter, but the Pirates turned up their defense afterward. The Hall held the Musketeers without a made field goal for the next 6:12, going on a 15-3 run in that time to grab a 18-9 advantage. The Hall shot 50 percent from the floor in the first 10 minutes and took a 22-15 lead into the second.

Seton Hall was held scoreless for the first 3:55 of the second quarter as the Musketeers cut their deficit to 22-17 with 6:05 to play before halftime. A made jumper by Codio extended The Hall's lead to 10 points, but Xavier closed the first half with a 10-3 spurt to cut its deficit to 30-27 at the break.

With the score tied at 39, The Hall went on a 10-2 run on the strength of a pair of made three-pointers from Catalon, the second of which gave it a 49-41 advantage with 28 seconds left in the third quarter. Xavier hit a bucket at the buzzer, and the Pirates took a six-point lead into the fourth.

The Pirates took their offense to a new level in the fourth quarter, starting the final stanza with a game-changing 19-2 run. A pair of made free-throws by Craft with 4:05 left in the contest gave Seton Hall a commanding 68-45 advantage. With Seton Hall leading by 14, Catalon hit a three-pointer and was fouled after the play, which sent her to the line for two free-throws. It was a pivotal five-point possession that all but put the game away. The Pirates dominated the Musketeers on the glass, 11-to-4, in the fourth quarter and were 11-for-12 from the free-throw line.

Pinkney breaks their ankles and Catalon breaks their heart. Huge play for The Hall.#HALLin 🏀🏴‍☠️🔵⚪ pic.twitter.com/vDpJlhC5ae
— Seton Hall Women's Basketball (@SHUWBB) December 28, 2025

THE NUMBERS:

Seton Hall was 22-for-47 (46.8%) from the floor for the game, while Xavier was 21-for-54 (38.9%). The Hall was 10-for-17 (58.8%) from three-point range, while the Musketeers were 7-for-24 (29.2%).
Catalon had a game-high 24 points on 6-for-12 shooting overall, 4-for-7 from three-point range and 8-for-8 shooting from the free-throw line. She also had three steals and drew 11 fouls.
The Hall out-rebounded Xavier, 37-to-23, which included a 11-to-8 edge on the offensive glass.
Valenzuela had 16 points on the strength of 3-for-5 shooting from three-point range, to go with 10 rebounds and three blocks.
Seton Hall was 21-for-26 (80.8%) from the free-throw line, while Xavier was 6-for-10 (60.0%).
Codio had 12 points on 5-for-9 shooting with three rebounds and a career-high three blocks.
Seton Hall forced 16 turnovers, while the Musketeers forced 18. The Hall, however, had a 21-to-15 advantage in points-off-turnovers.
Craft had 12 points on the strength of 2-for-3 shooting from three-point range to go with five rebounds.
Sophomore Jada Eads (Orlando, Fla.) only had one point, but had five rebounds and a season-high seven assists.

Jordana Codio with the turnaround jumper!!#HALLin 🏀🏴‍☠️🔵⚪ pic.twitter.com/WbOSC6GP2i
— Seton Hall Women's Basketball (@SHUWBB) December 28, 2025

THE NOTES:

Seton Hall improves to 9-4 overall and 3-1 in the BIG EAST, while Xavier drops to 8-5 overall and 1-3 in conference play.
The Pirates improve to 25-3 all-time against Xavier and have now won 15 straight games in the series.
Today's victory is Seton Hall's 300^th all-time in BIG EAST Conference play.
With 16 points today, Valenzuela has surpassed the 500-points milestone for her career.
With five rebounds today, Eads has reached the 200-rebounds milestone for her career.
Catalon reached 20 points in a single game for the third time this season and the 10^th time in her career.
Seton Hall improves to 147-57 in home games under head coach Anthony Bozzella, and 70-42 against BIG EAST opponents in Walsh Gym.
Catalon has now collected at least three steals in 11 of 13 games so far this season.
With three steals today, Catalon moves into a tie with former Pirate Kelley Moore for 19^th on Seton Hall's career list with 154.
The Hall improves to a perfect 7-0 when out-shooting its opponent.
With 10 rebounds today, Valenzuela surpassed the 300-rebounds milestone for her career.
With nine points today, Zahara Bishop (Minneapolis, Minn.) surpassed the 100-points milestone for her career.

UP NEXT:
Seton Hall will be back in action on New Year's Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 31 when it returns to historic Walsh Gymnasium to host long-time BIG EAST foe Georgetown. Tip-time is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET.