Seton Hall 66, Fordham 54: Ray Floriani's Photo Essay

South Orange, NJ -­ The game is 40 minutes. If you care to be technical, it could exceed that if overtime is needed. Naturally, effort is required over the duration of the game. There are very often short stretches where the game may ultimately be decided. Forty minutes on the clock, yet as little as two or three minutes can determine an outcome.

On Wednesday, the Fordham women ventured to Walsh Gymnasium to face Seton Hall. The Pirates (7-­1) were coming off their first loss of the year, a defeat at Georgia. The Fordham Rams were below .500, (3­-4) but still, no one expected an easy time for the Hall.

Fordham, thanks to some hot shooting from Hannah Missry, led by seven at the break. Four minutes into the second half, Stephanie Gaitley’s club still had a six-point lead. Then, it changed.

Seton Hall coach Tony Bozzella called for straight up, tough man-to-man defense. That ignited the Pirates, who went on a 15-­5 run over the last six minutes of the quarter.

The Hall led by four entering the fourth quarter. Regardless, the Rams seemed to be facing an uphill battle with the momentum having left. As Bozzella said, “the defense took a toll on their (shooting) legs.” Seton Hall captured the game, 66­-54. The stat sheet shows Aleesha Powell of the Hall leading the way with a 26-point effort. The analytics measured the win in a 108­-84 edge in offensive efficiency. To Bozzella, it was “finding a way to win.” And finding a way happened in a span of just six minutes.

(All photos courtesy of Karen Floriani)

The opening tip between Fordham and Seton Hall:

Fordham in their perimeter defensive stance:

The rebounding battle, which Seton Hall ultimately won for the night:

A 19-point scorer with seven rebounds, Fordham's Samantha Clark takes a very short respite:

Seton Hall setting the screen in the post:

Aleesha Powell of Seton Hall, splitting her vision on the defensive end: