NEW YORK (Interstat) — In a game defined by a staggering disparity in ball security, the Saint John’s Red Storm overcame 22 turnovers by dominating the glass and shooting with high efficiency to hold off the Seton Hall Pirates 67-61 in a Big East women’s basketball contest Saturday at Carnesecca Arena.

The victory improved Saint John’s to 19-7 overall, while Seton Hall fell to 15-8.

The most important part of the game unfolded in the third quarter. After a tightly contested first half ended with the Red Storm holding a slim 28-25 lead, Saint John’s seized control coming out of the break. The Red Storm erupted for 21 points in the period, shooting 9 of 15 from the floor, while simultaneously clamping down defensively. Seton Hall, despite scoring 17 in the quarter, could not keep pace as Saint John’s methodically built a 49-42 advantage heading into the final frame. This surge provided the cushion the Red Storm would rely on down the stretch.

Saint John’s was led by a standout performance from Sa’Mya Wyatt. The junior guard from Powder Springs, Georgia, scored a game-high 20 points, grabbed six rebounds and added an assist in 31 minutes, continuing her strong recent play. She was complemented by Beautiful Waheed of Milwaukee, who scored 14 points, secured six rebounds, dished three assists and recorded two blocks.

Seton Hall’s effort was spearheaded by Mariana Valenzuela. The senior from Mazatlan, Mexico, led the Pirates with 17 points. Savannah Catalon of Mansfield, Texas, added 13 points and three assists, while reserve guard Ari Woodard provided a crucial spark off the bench, scoring 11 points in just 14 minutes, including a trio of key baskets in the fourth quarter to keep the Pirates within striking distance.

The statistical story of the game, however, was written in the turnover and rebounding columns. Saint John’s committed a season-worst 22 turnovers, which Seton Hall converted into 24 points. The Pirates also tallied 13 steals, led by Ja’Kahla Craft’s four. Yet, the Red Storm rendered those miscues nearly irrelevant by controlling every other facet of play. Saint John’s out-rebounded Seton Hall 38-26, but the decisive edge came on the offensive glass, where the Red Storm hauled in 12 offensive rebounds to Seton Hall’s four, leading to multiple second-chance opportunities.

Furthermore, Saint John’s shot a crisp 50% from the field (27 of 54) and 40.9% from three-point range (9 of 22). Seton Hall, by contrast, struggled with its shooting, connecting on just 37.3% of its field goals (22 of 59) and a frigid 22.7% from beyond the arc (5 of 22). The Red Storm’s offensive rating of 98.1 points per 100 possessions starkly outpaced the Pirates’ 85.8, illustrating the efficiency gap.

Seton Hall’s persistent pressure did force Saint John’s into a rash of errors, particularly from primary ball-handlers. However, the Red Storm’s defense held firm when it mattered, limiting Seton Hall’s offensive flow and blocking three shots. The Pirates also managed only three assists as a team in the second half, underscoring the defensive disruption.

The game remained tense in the fourth quarter. After Woodard’s layup cut the Saint John’s lead to 66-61 with just over a minute remaining, the Pirates had several chances to draw closer but could not convert. A critical sequence saw Seton Hall force a turnover and get a clean look at a three-pointer to make it a one-possession game, but the shot missed. Saint John’s finally sealed the game at the free-throw line in the final seconds.

Saint John’s next travels to face DePaul on Tuesday. Seton Hall looks to rebound on the road at Marquette on Wednesday. The two teams are scheduled for a rematch at Seton Hall on Feb. 22.

The announced attendance was 841.