OMAHA, Neb. (Interstat) — Powered by a dominant first half and a balanced scoring attack, the Seton Hall women’s basketball team secured a significant 88-79 road victory over Creighton in a Big East Conference matchup Monday afternoon at a sparsely attended CenturyLink Center.

The Pirates, improving to 8-4 overall, built a commanding 20-point halftime lead and weathered a persistent second-half push from the Bluejays, who fell to 6-6.

The most critical phase of the game was unquestionably the first quarter, where Seton Hall established a tone of offensive efficiency and defensive disruption from which Creighton could never fully recover. The Pirates erupted for 30 points in the opening period, connecting on a series of early three-pointers and layups to seize immediate control. Mariana Valenzuela was instrumental in the early barrage, scoring 11 of her 23 points in the first quarter, including a pair of three-pointers that stretched the defense. Seton Hall’s ball movement was sharp, generating high-percentage looks that led to a 56-36 halftime advantage.

Despite the large deficit, Creighton refused to capitulate, mounting a sustained challenge after the break. Led by the dynamic play of guard Ava Zediker, who finished with a game-high 25 points and eight assists, the Bluejays chipped away at the lead throughout the second half. A 21-point third quarter from Creighton cut into the margin, and the Bluejays continued to apply pressure in the fourth, closing to within single digits on multiple occasions. Kennedy Townsend contributed 14 points for the home side, while Neleigh Gessert added 11 off the bench.

Each time Creighton threatened, however, Seton Hall had an answer. The Pirates consistently found key baskets to stem the momentum, often from different sources. Alongside Valenzuela’s 23 points, Seton Hall received a standout performance from guard Jada Eads, who tallied 18 points and five assists while also registering a block and multiple steals. Shailyn Pinkney provided a crucial scoring punch with 21 points, and Jordana Codio added 14 points, including several important buckets in the paint during the second half.

Seton Hall’s interior presence was a decisive factor, as the Pirates outscored Creighton 34-22 in the paint. They also capitalized on their opportunities, scoring 20 points off Bluejay turnovers. While Creighton managed 23 points off Pirate miscues and shot well in its second-half rally, the early hole proved too deep to escape.

The victory marks a positive rebound for Seton Hall following a loss at Villanova last Friday. For Creighton, the loss halts a modest two-game winning streak and underscores the challenges of overcoming a poor start against a conference opponent.

According to pregame analytics from Interstat’s ELO system, Creighton entered the contest with an 81.3 percent probability to win, a projection thoroughly upended by Seton Hall’s early execution and resilient finish.

Seton Hall looks to build on the win when it returns home to face Xavier on Sunday. Creighton will hit the road for its next contest, also on Sunday, at Georgetown. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in a rematch at Seton Hall on Feb. 1.