SOUTH ORANGE, NJ - Seton Hall opened Big East play with an impressive 69-56 victory over Pitt at Walsh Gymnasium on Saturday. The improved Panthers had entered the conference opener with a three game win streak. The numbers of note:
Pitt |
Seton Hall |
|
Possessions |
72 |
70 |
Offensive Efficiency |
78 |
98 |
eFG |
36 |
43 |
FT Rate |
50 |
44 |
OREB Percentage |
32 |
40 |
TO Rate |
24 |
20 |
The defense. The offensive efficiency of Pitt coupled with their turnover rate tells a good part of the story. Seton Hall defended well enough to win. Pirates showed some three quarter court pressure before falling into a halfcourt defense. The pressure can get you steals but often enough it is utilized to force the opponents to take more time on each possession.
The offense. Seton Hall is an 80 efficiency team on the offensive end so it is quite obvious they stepped things up on that end. The TO rate is 24% for the season. Again, an improvement Saturday on that number which had a lot to do with the better offense.
A foul mood. The free throws are testament to the number of whistles in this contest. Pitt committed 20 personals, Seton Hall 25.
Individual performances. Seton Hall had three players of note. The Brittany Morris- Ka-Deidre Sommins backcourt of Seton Hall combined for 35 points, 5 assists and 5 steals. Simmons, with 16 points, was a veritable 'stat stuffer', adding eight boards, three assists, four steals and finishing with a game high efficiency mark of 23. Hall also received nice inside play courtesy of Alexandra Maseko, 14 points and a team high ten rebounds.
Pitt was paced by junior forward Asia Logan. Earning her sixth double-double of the season, Logan scored a game high 21 points while adding a team leading 10 rebounds.
Records and schedule. Pitt fell to 9-5 overall and 0-1 in conference. Next up is a home date with Villanova on Saturday. Seton Hall, winners of two straight, is 1-0 in the Big East and now 6-8 overall. Pirates are on the road this week traveling to Cincinnati on Wednesday before facing St. John's at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.