Seton Hall’s late rally falls short against Princeton

Tony Bozzella looks on as Seton Hall battles Princeton Friday. (Photo by Ray Floriani/Daly Dose Of Hoops)

By Ray Floriani (@rfloriani)

SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. — In the long run, this could be a case of short-term pain, long-term gain. 

Not to say Seton Hall was slipping into a mindset of complacency after winning their first three games, but after being handed its first loss of the season, a 78-76 setback at the hands of a now 3-0 Princeton team, Tony Bozzella did not hide his displeasure.

“I am extremely disappointed,” the Pirates’ coach said following the game Friday. “Give credit to Princeton, but we played uncomposed. This is a terrible loss.”

Some may point to the loss of Shadeen Samuels, Seton Hall’s senior leader and Big East Preseason Player of the Year, who exited with an injury after three minutes and two points and is now day-to-day, per Bozzella, but Samuels’ absence was not the main reason for this loss. 

“Injuries did not decide the game,” Seton Hall’s Alexis Lewis, a game-high 27-point scorer, noted. “We are all capable of filling in. We have good players, but tonight, we made mistakes that cost us the game.”

Seton Hall started strong, holding an eight-point lead after the first period. That lead was reduced to three at the half. Princeton was making its move. The final half saw the Tigers take command. A number of times, Princeton was able to get out, push the ball and create scoring opportunities in a secondary offense, as well as break down the Pirate defense by getting in the lane and finding an open cutter or shooter on the perimeter. 

“The end of the third period and beginning of the fourth lost the game for us,” Bozzella lamented.

Princeton staked an 11-point lead with six minutes remaining in the game before Seton Hall made its final run. The Pirates were down one with eight seconds left. After the inbound, Desiree Elmore traveled. Princeton’s Maggie Connolly hit one of two three throws. With four seconds remaining, the Pirates had to go the length of the court. Lauren Park-Lane pushed it upcourt and fired a long-distance three-pointer that hit the back of the rim.

“We did not have aggressiveness or toughness,” Bozzella added. “Even that last play, we went over what we wanted to run during a timeout. We came out and didn’t execute what we wanted. Just very disappointing.”

One day of prep loomed before the next outing, a neutral-site game against Saint Joseph’s at Fordham. 

“That is not a big issue,” Bozzella said. “Our Big East schedule goes Friday-Sunday, so out of conference, we want to get ready for that. The big issue is toughness. We have to come out and be aggressive against an opponent that will do the same.”