January 27, 2021 –
The game was hastily arranged as COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on the basketball schedules. No matter, Villanova would have to play Marquette during the season. This game came along sooner rather than later, and two days after the Wildcats won over St. John’s in overtime. Using a fast start the Golden Eagles of Marquette got out to a lead that was never threatened for a 95 – 77 win at Villanova. An opening quarter 27 – 14 Golden Eagles lead set the tone.
“At the start of the game we didn’t come in ready and they took full advantage,” said Villanova Coach Denise Dillon. “You’re climbing uphill and trying to keep pace with what they were doing. It makes for a long night.”
Marquette got balanced scoring as all five starters scored in double figures led by Selena Lott who scored a game-high 27 points and added a career-high 11 assists. Camryn Taylor added 16 points to go with 8 rebounds.
The Golden Eagles shot a high percentage and were hitting at a 60% clip over the first three quarters as they were able to get the ball to the basket, then score or kick it back out for jumpers. Getting the ball close to the hoop was a major factor.
“It was an area of focus,” Dillon said. “I said to our group as hard as it can be to match up with our three in Maddy (Siegrist), Sarah (Mortentsen), and Brianna (Herlihy), that would be the biggest challenge for us against Marquette asking those three to make it as hard as possible to work in the post, to front, and looking to double. But we certainly did not execute that game plan.”
At the conclusion Marquette was good on 27 field goals and 10 three-pointers.
Villanova was challenged to win the 4th quarter by their coach, and responded taking the last 10 minutes 23 – 15. Brianna Herlihy and Maddy Siegrist led the Wildcats in scoring getting 19 each. Siegrist pulled down a team-best 8 boards. Samantha Carangi handed out a collegiate-best 9 assists. Sarah Mortensen scored 13 points.
Three other Golden Eagles players scored in double figures as Chloe Marotta scored 13 points, Jordan King added 12, and Lauren Van Kleunen contributed 10 points. Marquette has won four in a row.
This was the most points allowed by Nova this season. Dillon said there is work to be done on the defensive end of the floor.
The Wildcats fall to 9 – 3 overall and are 4 – 3 in the Big East. All three losses came against the top-three teams in the conference; Connecticut, Marquette (10 – 2, 7 – 1), and DePaul.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeports.com
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