If you’ve ever sat in the stands at Gampel Pavilion or PeoplesBank Arena, you know the vibe. It is loud. It's intense. When we talk about uconn vs seton hall women's basketball, most people just look at the final score and assume it was a blowout from the jump. Honestly? That's rarely the full story.
Basketball is a game of runs.
Take their most recent meeting on January 3, 2026. On paper, top-ranked UConn winning 84-48 looks like a routine day at the office for Geno Auriemma’s squad. But if you were actually watching the first quarter, you saw a Seton Hall team that absolutely refused to blink. For a hot minute, the Pirates had this thing tied up at 11-11. Mariana Valenzuela and Ja'Kahla Craft were scrappy. They were physical.
Then, the "UConn Effect" happened.
The Run That Changed Everything
In uconn vs seton hall women's basketball, there is always that one specific stretch where the talent gap just explodes. In this latest matchup, it was an 8-0 run to close the first quarter, followed by a suffocating second-quarter press. The Pirates didn't score for over seven minutes. That’s the reality of playing the Huskies in 2026—they don’t just beat you; they starve you of oxygen.
Sarah Strong is basically a cheat code at this point.
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She put up 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals in that January game. Watching her move, you'd think she’s been in the league for a decade, but she's still just a sophomore. Azzi Fudd added 16, looking as smooth as ever after those injury-plagued years that broke all our hearts. It’s kinda scary how deep this roster is. Even when they miss 13 of their first 17 shots—which they did—they still find a way to win by nearly 40.
Why Seton Hall is Tougher Than the Scoreboard Says
Don't let the 42-game losing streak in this series fool you. Tony Bozzella has built a program that fights.
- Savannah Catalon is a problem for opposing guards. She had 11 points and 4 steals against the Huskies.
- Jordana Codio led the Pirates with 12 points, even though she struggled with 10 turnovers under that relentless UConn pressure.
- The Pirates were playing without their third-leading scorer, Jada Eads, which is a massive blow when you're trying to upset the #1 team in the country.
Most people think Seton Hall just rolls over. They don't. They forced 17 UConn turnovers. That’s not a small number. If the Pirates could just find a way to handle the full-court press without coughing up the ball 32 times, these games would be absolute nail-biters.
The History Nobody Talks About
We always hear about the 11 national championships. We hear about the legendary names like Maya Moore and Breanna Stewart. But the uconn vs seton hall women's basketball rivalry is also about the grind of the Big East.
UConn has won 31 straight games as of early 2026.
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That kind of dominance is exhausting to maintain. Every time Seton Hall steps on the court, they are playing against a legacy, not just a team. The Pirates haven't beaten UConn since... well, it’s been a while. Since 1994, actually. But in the 2024-25 season, the Pirates held the Huskies to their smallest margin of victory in conference play. There are cracks in the armor, even if they're small.
Key Matchup: The Battle in the Paint
When you watch these two teams, keep your eyes on the post.
UConn’s Jana El Alfy is a 6'5" presence that most Big East teams simply cannot account for. Seton Hall tries to counter this with a "smallball" approach sometimes, or by using Mariana Valenzuela’s ability to stretch the floor and hit the three. In their last meeting, Seton Hall actually kept the rebounding battle close (35-32 in favor of UConn). That is a massive win for the Pirates, even in a loss.
What’s Next for This Rivalry?
If you’re looking to catch the next installment of uconn vs seton hall women's basketball, mark your calendar for January 25, 2026. The scene shifts to Walsh Gymnasium in South Orange.
Playing at "The Hall" is a different beast. It’s smaller, the fans are right on top of you, and things get weird. UConn will likely be favored by 30+ again, but the Pirates are currently sitting 3rd in the Big East for a reason. They have the talent to keep it competitive for at least thirty minutes.
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To really understand where this series is going, you have to look at the recruiting trails.
UConn is still landing the top-five players like Sarah Strong and Allie Ziebell. Seton Hall is focusing on high-motor transfers and international talent like Valenzuela (Mexico) and El Alfy (Egypt—wait, she's UConn). Actually, the international flavor in the Big East right now is incredible. It makes the style of play much more tactical and less about pure raw athleticism.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're betting or just analyzing the next game, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the Turnover Margin: If Seton Hall keeps it under 20, they cover the spread. If they hit 30 again, it’s a track meet.
- The Fudd Factor: Azzi Fudd’s gravity opens up everything for Sarah Strong. If the Pirates can't stay home on Fudd, the paint becomes a layup line.
- The Early Lead: UConn often starts slow on the road. If Seton Hall can lead at the end of the first quarter in South Orange, the energy in that building will be electric.
The rivalry might be lopsided in the win-loss column, but the intensity of uconn vs seton hall women's basketball remains a cornerstone of Big East culture.
Check the local listings for the January 25th rematch on FS1 or SNY. If you're near Hartford or South Orange, getting a ticket is worth it just to see Sarah Strong’s footwork in person. Follow the Big East digital updates for live stats, as the turnover battle usually tells the story of the game before the fourth quarter even starts.