Villanova Limits Providence For Big East Win

Villanova, PA. 2/1/2019 – The Villanova Wildcats returned home to face a familiar foe in the Providence Friars. The schools have faced each other 75 times, more than any other opponent for Villanova in women’s basketball.

The road trip to the New York metropolitan area resulted in a two-game sweep for the Wildcats. They returned home and limited the Friars to 20.8% shooting (11 of 53) to gain their third straight win in the Big East by a 53 – 33 score.

Villanova got a lead early in the game, mostly by holding Providence to 8 points at halftime, giving up 4 in each quarter. The Friars made only 4 of 28 from the floor and no three-pointers. The Wildcats were better getting 43% of their shots to fall (12 for 28) and went 4 of 11 from distance.

“We controlled the tempo the entire game,” said Villanova guard Adrianna Hahn. “The first half we stuck it defensively. They couldn’t score on us. Their best three-point shooter couldn’t get shots off. We rebounded both offensively and defensively and controlled the tempo.”

The visitors had a half a point per possession. The 33 scored by Providence was their lowest offensive output of the season. It was the lowest number of points given up by the Cats this in this campaign.

Villanova cooled off a bit, but finished the game at 36.8% from the floor making 21 of 57.

“It helps a lot, it’s your cushion when you are not scoring,” said Villanova Coach Harry Perretta about the start for his team. “The closest they got was to 16, and when you have a cushion like that, it helps.”

Providence leading scorer Jovana Nogic finished with 8 points the team-high, and did not get her first basket until the 8:33 mark of the third quarter.

Another factor in the win was the Nova outrebounded the Friars 44 – 36.

Adrianna Hahn scored 14 points. The senior guard hit a three-pointer with 5:05 to play in the fourth quarter to place her at the top in made three-point baskets in program history with 284.

“I am truly honored,” said Hahn about her place in program history. “It was something I set in the beginning of the year, so now I am trying to get to three hundred. That’s my next goal along with a win on Sunday.”

“My Dad used to teach me, shoot from far out. I said I’m never going to shoot this in a game, or I’m not strong enough. But now it paid off because I can shoot it from anywhere. I thank him for that.”

Jekot added 14 points. Mary Gedaka had 13 points and 8 rebounds.

The Wildcats improve to 14 – 7 overall and even their record at 5 in conference, tying the Friars (13 – 9, 5 – 5) for fourth place in the Big East. Creighton comes to visit on Sunday. The team is riding a three-game win streak. But this is the Big East, and so far we know anything can happen.

“Now that we play everybody again, I think we will get those wins that we lost,” Hahn said. “Now that we are on a winning streak we can beat those teams. We have more confidence in ourselves. We are running the same stuff we’ve been running, but better and we are doing better defensively.”

“Last weekend set us up for this game, and tonight should help us for Sunday,” Jekot said. “Every game in the Big East we can win or lose, so we have to come prepared.”

Written By: Glenn Papazian

Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com

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