South Orange, N.J. — Ja’Kahla Craft turned in the best performance of her collegiate career Friday night, recording her first double-double to lead Seton Hall to a 74-56 victory over Indiana State at Walsh Gymnasium.
Craft finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds, matching her career high on the boards while coming close to her personal scoring record. She shot an efficient 8-for-12 from the field, including 4-for-6 from beyond the arc, as the Pirates improved to 2-0 on the season.
Seton Hall used strong guard play and effective ball movement to create opportunities, with its players attacking the lane and finding Craft on the perimeter. The Pirates also took advantage of their trips to the free-throw line in a physical contest that featured 47 combined fouls.
Senior Savannah Catalon provided another all-around performance, contributing 18 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals. She also drew eight fouls, helping Seton Hall maintain pressure on the Sycamores throughout the game.
Indiana State kept the game close early, but the Pirates took control with a decisive finish to the first half.
Seton Hall opened with a 9-2 run, capped by a Catalon floater with 6:59 remaining in the first quarter. The Sycamores responded to make it 11-8, but a scoring drought lasting 4:31 allowed the Pirates to build a 15-8 advantage. Indiana State scored twice during the final minute of the quarter to pull within 15-12.
The second quarter proved to be the turning point.
With Seton Hall trailing 23-22, the Pirates closed the half on a 17-3 surge over the final 6:32. Their defensive effort limited Indiana State to 22.9% shooting in the opening half, allowing the Pirates to carry a commanding 39-26 lead into the break.
Seton Hall continued to create separation after halftime. With the Pirates ahead 54-34, sophomore Samari Bankhead and Catalon connected on three-pointers on consecutive possessions. Catalon’s shot pushed the advantage to 60-34 with 1:02 remaining in the third quarter.
Indiana State never managed to bring the deficit below 18 points the rest of the way.
The Pirates finished 22-for-52 from the floor, shooting 42.3%, while holding Indiana State to 19-for-62 shooting, or 30.6%. Seton Hall made six of its 18 attempts from three-point range, compared with five of 17 for the Sycamores.
The difference at the free-throw line was also significant. Seton Hall converted 24 of 28 attempts, an 85.7% success rate, while Indiana State went 13-for-17.
The Pirates controlled the glass, outrebounding the Sycamores 46-31. Both teams collected 12 offensive rebounds. Seton Hall also produced 14 fast-break points, twice Indiana State’s total of seven.
Bankhead added six points and five rebounds, while sophomore Ari Woodard contributed eight points and two steals. Seton Hall forced 14 turnovers and held a narrow 14-13 advantage in points off turnovers.
The victory marked the first meeting between the programs. Seton Hall moved to 2-0, while Indiana State dropped to 0-2.
Craft’s performance represented her second career game with at least 20 points and the first double-double of her career. Catalon’s three steals moved her into seventh place on Seton Hall’s career steals list with 214, passing former Pirate Leslie Chavies. Catalon also moved into a tie for 11th on the program’s career three-point list with 110.
Senior Savanna Jones made the first start of her collegiate career. Freshmen Kenadie Maughan, Shamira Morton and Ari Vidales each scored their first collegiate points.
Under head coach Anthony Bozzella, Seton Hall improved to 153-62 in home games and 79-16 against nonconference opponents at Walsh Gymnasium.
The Pirates will return to Walsh Gymnasium Thursday, Nov. 12, to host Fairfield. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., with the game available on ESPN+ and 89.5 FM WSOU.
