Kicking off the year with an unexpected twist! This Wednesday, Seton Hall women’s basketball stepped onto the court to face their longtime rival, Villanova. With the Wildcats holding a dominant 51-25 record in their all-time series, they were favored to claim another win. But what happened next wasn’t at all what anyone expected. The game concluded in dramatic fashion with a buzzer-beater circus shot from Faith Masonius, securing a jaw-dropping 56-55 victory for Seton Hall.

This win marked their first 3-0 start in conference play in nearly a decade. Masonius, the junior guard known for her clutch moments, truly lived up to her reputation in the most critical moment of the game. Averaging nearly 18 points per game, she put up a stellar 17 points in 38 minutes of play, leading her team to victory.

But the win wasn’t just about Masonius’s heroics—it also came down to a twist of fate for Villanova’s star player. With just eight seconds left on the clock, Kaydon Lawson missed a layup, which Denae Carter grabbed on the defensive rebound. However, a foul was called on Lawson, giving Carter a chance at the free throw line.

The situation could have unfolded differently if Lawson had made that layup, but instead, Carter missed not one but two free throws with just six seconds remaining. And that’s when Faith seized the moment. She grabbed the ball, made a quick layup, and sealed the victory for the Pirates.

Did the Faith led Pirates finally get their long-awaited redemption?

Villanova had dominated the rivalry for years, with five consecutive wins over Seton Hall and their last loss to the Pirates coming in the 2020-21 season. In addition, the Wildcats had swept the previous season’s series, keeping Seton Hall under 46 points in both matchups.

This year, Villanova was expected to finish sixth in the BIG EAST Conference, just ahead of Seton Hall, but despite some tough losses in non-conference play, they had shown resilience in their games against tough opponents.

Still, Seton Hall wasn’t going to let the Wildcats walk away with another easy win. With Masonius’s clutch performance and solid team play, the Pirates pulled off a much-needed redemption. This victory also highlighted Seton Hall’s strength on both sides of the court, as their offense is averaging 66.6 points per game and their defense is limiting opponents to just 56.6 points per game.

This win was especially sweet for the Pirates, considering how frustrating the past few seasons had been against Villanova, with Seton Hall being held to under 46 points in each game. Their determination to stay in the game, despite Villanova’s dominance, allowed them to capitalize on the opportunity when it mattered most.

It’s safe to say that Seton Hall’s redemption against Villanova has been a long time coming. But will Villanova have another shot at revenge next season? What do you think—did the Pirates finally get the redemption they deserved?

Dawn Staley –