PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Interstat) — Seton Hall overcame a slow start to defeat Providence 58-48 in a Big East women’s basketball game Thursday night at Dunkin’ Center. The Pirates, held to just four first-quarter points, found their rhythm as the game progressed. Providence led 12-4 after one quarter, but Seton Hall closed the gap by halftime and took control after intermission. Both teams struggled offensively, combining to shoot just 30 percent from the floor. Jordana Codio led Seton Hall with 17 points. Shailyn Pinkney added 14 points and Zahara Bishop scored 10. Payton Dunbar scored 13 points for the Friars. Seton Hall improved to 11-5 overall. Providence fell to 9-8. Attendance was 667.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined more by grit than grace, the Seton Hall women’s basketball team grinded out a 58-48 victory over Providence on Thursday night at Dunkin’ Center, leaning on a decisive third-quarter surge to secure a Big East Conference win. The game, played before an announced crowd of 667, was a stark contrast in offensive execution, with both teams combining for 36 turnovers and shooting under 40 percent from the field. The Pirates, however, found just enough rhythm after halftime to pull away from a Friars squad that could not sustain its early momentum. Seton Hall improved to 11-5 overall, while Providence fell to 9-8. The first half was a portrait of offensive frustration. Providence, despite its own shooting woes, managed to build a 12-4 lead late in the opening quarter behind early three-pointers from Payton Dunbar. Seton Hall’s start was particularly frigid, plagued by turnovers and missed opportunities. The Pirates closed the gap in the second period, but the half concluded with Providence holding a 23-18 advantage, a scoreline reflective of a game where points were a precious commodity. The complexion of the contest shifted dramatically after intermission. The most important part of the game unfolded in the third quarter, where Seton Hall’s defense catalyzed its offense. The Pirates erupted for a 20-point quarter, their highest of the night, while simultaneously clamping down to limit Providence to just 12 points. The turnaround was spearheaded by the duo of Jordana Codio and Shailyn Pinkney. Codio, who finished with a game-high 17 points, ignited the run with a stepback three-pointer. Pinkney added a three of her own shortly after, part of her 14-point contribution. More critically, Seton Hall’s activity increased, converting Friar turnovers into transition chances and establishing a presence in the paint that had been absent earlier. While Providence’s Orlagh Gormley, who tallied 8 points and 5 assists, and Dunbar, who led the Friars with 13 points, tried to respond, the Seton Hall defense consistently disrupted their flow. The Pirates recorded 10 steals and 4 blocks, with Mariana Valenzuela’s interior presence contributing 10 points, 9 rebounds, and multiple key defensive plays. Entering the fourth quarter with a 38-35 lead, Seton Hall never relinquished control. They methodically extended their advantage, primarily through work inside, scoring 28 of their 58 points in the paint. Providence, which shot a dismal 26.7 percent from the field for the game, could not mount a sustained rally. Every mini-run was answered, often by Codio or Valenzuela converting on the block. The Friars, who out-rebounded Seton Hall 18-12 on the offensive glass, failed to capitalize on those second chances, a key factor in their defeat. Their offensive rating of 71.5 on 67 possessions underscored a night of inefficient offense. For Seton Hall, the victory represented a bounce-back from a lopsided loss to Connecticut in their previous outing and a successful start to a critical stretch of conference play. Zahara Bishop joined Codio, Pinkney, and Valenzuela in double figures with 10 points and a team-high 4 assists. Providence was led by Dunbar’s 13 points, but no other Friar reached double figures. Teneisia Brown added 6 points and 9 rebounds in the loss. The game was a testament to Seton Hall’s ability to win ugly on the road. Despite committing 18 turnovers and shooting only 4-of-19 from three-point range, they leveraged superior defense and timely scoring from their core players to secure the result. Seton Hall next hosts Marquette on Jan. 14. Providence will look to regroup quickly, hosting Villanova on Jan. 11. The two teams are scheduled for a rematch in South Orange, New Jersey, on Jan. 20.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Interstat) — Two Big East women’s basketball teams looking to build momentum will meet Thursday when the Seton Hall Pirates visit the Providence Friars at Dunkin’ Center. Seton Hall (10-5) enters after a tough 84-48 road loss to Connecticut last Saturday. The Pirates had won three straight prior to that, including an 88-79 victory at Creighton on Dec. 22. Providence (9-7) snapped a two-game skid with a 69-59 win at DePaul last Sunday. The matchup features two of the conference’s key playmakers. Seton Hall guard Savannah Catalon is averaging 14.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. She is coming off an 11-point, seven-rebound performance against UConn and scored 24 points in a win over Xavier on Dec. 28. Providence will counter with guard Orlagh Gormley, who posted 15 points, five rebounds and five assists in the win over DePaul. She nearly recorded a triple-double with 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists in an overtime win against Georgetown on Dec. 21. The Friars will rely on home-court advantage, where they are 6-2 this season. Their defense, which forced 18 turnovers against DePaul, will be tested by a Seton Hall offense that averages 69.3 points per game. Providence averages 60.1 points per contest. This game begins a critical stretch for both teams. Providence hosts Villanova on Sunday, while Seton Hall continues its road trip at DePaul on Jan. 17. The teams will meet again in a quick rematch at Seton Hall on Jan. 20. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcast on the Big East Digital Network.