Seton Hall Takes Home a 56 – 55 Win on Last Second Layup
VILLANOVA, PA 1/1/2025 –
In a back and forth game the Villanova Wildcats had a chance to take control. Leading by a point with 6.7 seconds remaining the Wildcats went to the foul line, but did not convert. The Seton Hall Pirates were given a last chance and took advantage of it when forward Faith Masonius got the ball in the lane. She was double teamed, pivoted, and with her back to the basket Masonius put up a reverse layup that hit the rim then bounced in as the horn sounded. The referees review the play and confirmed it was good. Seton Hall wins 56 – 55. A tough way for Villanova to lose.
“An experienced player, she’s got the shot off,” observed Villanova Coach Denise Dillon about the final play. “I was a little bit more disappointed that she was able to get the ball that close to the basket. We weren’t back in the right position in order to get the stop.”
Missed Chances Both Ways
The Pirates held the lead for most of the game. The Wildcats made numerous charges only to be answered. In the fourth quarter Nova went ahead 43 – 42 on a Maddie Burke layup with 8:11 remaining, and held the lead until the wild finish. Seton Hall pulled to within a point on a three-pointer by I’Yanna Lops. In the last 19 seconds both teams would lose chances to seize the game. Villanova turned the ball over on a travel. Amari Wright committed an offensive foul to give Nova another chance, but turned it back on a five-second violation at the 16.5 second mark. Eight seconds later the Pirates Kayden Lawson missed on a drive to the basket, then fouled Danae Carter as 6.7 seconds showed on the clock. But Carter did not convert the free throws to set up the deciding possession.
“That’s the kind of battle you’re going to have in the Big East,” Dillon said. “You didn’t get an opportunity to separate because of the defensive stops that were made. Our focus and attention was to get a shot at the rim on each possession and execute our offense. I thought we did a good job on the defensive end. Came up with key stops and possessions, but never separated.”
What the Numbers Say
Bronagh Power-Cassidy led Villanova in scoring with 17 points. Her third quarter ten-point outburst brought Villanova back and she played an active role in getting the fourth quarter lead. Power-Cassidy made 7 of 13 shots and drained 3 of 6 three-pointers.
“It was nice her feeling confident, aggressive and what needed to happen,” Dillon said.
Jasmine Bascoe added 16 points while handing out a team-high 5 assists and took down 7 rebounds. She has scored in double figures in 13 of 14 games. Carter added 11 points and led the team with 8 caroms.
Masonius scored 17 points and added 5 rebounds.
Seton Hall had one other player in double figures as Jada Eads scored 11 points. Lawson grabbed a game-high 9 rebounds. The Pirates won the battle of the boards 40 – 27.
Up Next
Villanova falls to 7 – 7 on the season and 1 – 1 in the Big East. This was a key loss as this is the only meeting between the teams.
“We talked about that. One chance at these guys,” Dillon said. “Knowing what the Big East looks like early, the importance of seeding, definitely a missed opportunity. And one you can’t get back.”
Nationally ranked UConn comes to the Finneran Pavilion on Sunday.
Seton Hall improves to 11 – 3 and is now 3 – 0 in the conference.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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