Seton Hall 70, Georgia 51: Ray Floriani's Photo Essay

South Orange, NJ­ - Once again, the atmosphere was electric. Excitement accompanied by the exhilarating sensation of something special happening. Electricity throughout Walsh Gymnasium. Con Ed and PSEG, you can take a temporary timeout.

The Seton Hall women raised their record to 12-­1 with a 70­-51 victory over Georgia. It was the SEC school’s initial loss against a dozen wins.

Tabatha Richardson­-Smith led the Hall with 25 points. The scorebook also shows Ka­-Deidre Simmons adding 17. Beyond those two standouts was a total team effort. Seton Hall coach Tony Bozzella would be the first to praise the efforts of everyone, starters and contributors in relief. Beside competing on the boards (a 42-­41 edge) and forcing 20 turnovers, the Hall imposed their pace. Again, a team effort.

A rebuilding effort takes a great deal of work on the part of everyone, players as well as the staff. Often underappreciated, or discarded as an afterthought, is the maintaining of effort when you start winning. John Calipari often said success can be poisonous because it may allow complacency to creep in. Coaches must ensure that same degree of commitment and hard work is present, not just in games, but every day in practice. Right now, that is Bozzella’s challenge, to be certain that work ethic does not wane as the wins increase.

A huge matchup looms Friday at Carnesecca Arena against St. John’s. For Seton Hall, the first order of business is Butler on Tuesday, a team that swept the Hall last season.

In the basketball lounge just off the coaches offices, prominently placed was an advance scouting report for Butler. Each player was to take one on passing through. The Georgia box score was off to the side. Butler’s report was the priority.

The win over Georgia is savored, as it should be. The Butler report served notice there is work to be done. Realizing and meeting that demand is a challenge for players and coaches alike, a challenge this Seton Hall program welcomes.

Dennis DeMayo, who worked a number of NCAA finals, was on the game with Bryan Burnette and Ron Ledington:

Georgia coach Andy Landers in a somewhat relaxed and inquisitive pose:

Seton Hall coach Tony Bozzella reacts to the situation:

Ka-Deidre Simmons of Seton Hall coming off the screen to penetrate:

Simmons in the defensive stance:

The Seton Hall men's team enthusiastically cheering the women on:

With victory in the books, The Hall celebrates: