SOUTH ORANGE – The Seton Hall Pirates (5-3) were unable to finish off the Columbia Lions (7-4) Tuesday night, losing 54-53. Columbia’s Perri Page laid in the final basket of the night with .7 remaining and gave the Lions their third consecutive win over the Pirates.
The month of December so far has not brought a joyous vibe to the Pirates. With road losses to Princeton and North Carolina State, but a win in their BIG EAST opener vs Butler, it’s been mixed results to start the month.
Tuesday’s matchup against the Ivy League foe was once again not an easy task for Seton Hall. The Lions entered the season with three straight Ivy League Championships and have also appeared in back-to-back NCAA Tournaments.
On an individual level, Columbia guard Riley Weiss entered Tuesday’s contest as one of the nation’s top scorers, averaging 19.1 points-per-game. Thanks to Weiss’ tremendous scoring and three-point shooting ability last season, she earned a spot on a few preseason watch lists entering the 2025-2026 season. Notably, she was on the preseason watch list for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Women’s National Player of the Year Award.
However, the guard was unable to make her presence known Tuesday thanks in large part to great defense from Seton Hall senior forward Shailyn Pinkney. Pinkney, one of the Pirates’ most valuable pieces on defense, was responsible for guarding Weiss throughout the game. With Pinkney holding the stellar guard to just 10 points, it was a positive for Pirates head coach Tony Bozzella.
Continuing the positives, Seton Hall’s dynamic backcourt, featuring junior guard Savannah Catalon and sophomore guard Jada Eads, performed to their standard. Catalon led all scorers in the game with 16 points on a night where she celebrated her 21st birthday. For Eads, the 5-foot-7 guard was close to earning a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds.
Unfortunately, the final result left a sour taste for the home side. While the Pirates entered the second half of play winning 30-26, it was all down hill as the night progressed. With just eight total points and the team shooting a dismal 12.5 percent from the field in the fourth quarter, Seton Hall relinquished another second half lead.
Postgame, Bozzella displayed his frustration following their second straight loss.
“Another poorly played game by us,” a frustrated Bozzella said following the game. “I’m at a loss for words.”
Specifically looking at the fourth quarter, it was another rough stretch that was identical to their defeat away on Sunday vs NC State. Sunday, the Pirates shot 14.3 percent from the field in the final period and for over six minutes at one point, they missed eight straight shots. Tuesday night, the Pirates had zero field goals the last 5:40 of the game.
“Unfournately, so far, this has been a part of our season. Playing good teams and we haven’t been able to close out. We just keep blowing second half leads and blowing second half leads. I don’t know what it is but it’s just disappointing.”
The Pirates last two points of the night came via Catalon at the free throw line with 1:39 remaining in the game.
Things don’t get easier for the Pirates as they welcome the Auburn Tigers of the SEC Sunday to Walsh Gym. Now with three losses in non-conference play, the pressure is on Seton Hall to get an impressive win.
Tipoff for Sunday’s game is set for 1 p.m. on ESPN+.
