Seton Hall 74, NJIT 62: Ray Floriani's Photo Essay

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ - There are those special victories. Actually, every win is cherished. There are those triumphs that remain etched in the memory and spur a team on to greater heights. Then there are the ones that are very workman-like, a lunch pail type victory where you prepare for the opposition, make adjustments and get the job done.

The Seton Hall women defeated NJIT 74­-62 Friday night at Walsh Gym, a very sound victory raising the Seton Hall record to 11-­1. The visiting Highlanders came in with a respectable team. The deficit was 16 at the half. The visitors from five miles down the road in Newark kept battling. The deficit did not get to single digits as the Hall remained in control. Once again, Seton Hall did what was needed to boost the victory: A defensive stop, key rebound, penetration resulting in a field goal, Seton Hall responded when needed to maintain their distance.

Win number 11 in the book. A break for Christmas, then back to work for Seton Hall. Before the main part of the Big east schedule commences there is a date, at Walsh, next Sunday against highly regarded Georgia.

On this December evening, a favorable showing and another W in the ledger for coach Tony Bozzella’s group. During a timeout, Jodi Brooks, a standout on Seton Hall’s 1994 Sweet 16 team, was introduced. A special time two decades ago. On this night, the victory was, as noted, business as usual. Regardless, you exited Walsh with the feeling something special may be in the works with this group.

Seton Hall coach Tony Bozzella looks over the action with the staff (in the background) doing the same:

Ka-Deidre Simmons, a game-high 22-point scorer, studies her options against the NJIT defense:

An NJIT player waiting to enter the game:

NJIT coach Steve Lanpher:

Alyssa Albanese, NJIT's leading scorer with 16 points and 5 assists, shows textbook follow through on a pass: