Seton Hall Looks to Rebound Against Surging Saint John’s in Big East Clash

NEW YORK (Interstat) — A pivotal Big East women’s basketball matchup awaits Saturday at Carnesecca Arena as the surging Saint John’s Red Storm host the Seton Hall Pirates.

Saint John’s (18-7 overall) enters with momentum, having won three of its last four, including a dominant 71-52 victory over Xavier on Wednesday. The Red Storm’s defense has been a catalyst, holding opponents under 60 points in four of their last five wins. Guard Brooke Moore, coming off a 14-point, 5-assist, 3-block performance against Xavier, is a key two-way player. She averaged 16.3 points over a recent three-game stretch, highlighting her offensive capability.

Seton Hall (15-7) aims to bounce back from a 72-66 home loss to Creighton on Feb. 1 that snapped a three-game winning streak. The Pirates have shown resilience on the road this season, including a win at Georgetown on Jan. 29. They will lean on guard Jordana Codio, who has been a consistent scoring threat. Codio poured in 20 points against Creighton and had a 22-point, 5-assist outing in a win at DePaul on Jan. 17.

The game features a contrast in recent trajectories. Saint John’s has solidified its standing near the top of the conference, while Seton Hall seeks to regain its footing in a tight league race. The Red Storm won the first meeting this season, 66-64, at Xavier on Jan. 17, though Moore was limited. The Pirates’ interior presence, led by Mariana Valenzuela (10 rebounds vs. Creighton) and Ja’Kahla Craft, will be tested by Saint John’s balanced attack.

Saturday’s contest is the first of a home-and-home series between the teams, with a rematch scheduled for Feb. 22 in South Orange, New Jersey. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. EST.