Maddy Siegrist Scores a Career-High 42 Points
VILLANOVA, PA. 2/11/2022 –
The Villanova Wildcats women’s basketball team took to the floor two days after their signature win at Connecticut against the always tough Golden Eagles of Marquette. Sole possession of third place in the Big East was at stake. That goes to Villanova who clawed back in the game, tied it at the end of regulation, and wins it 74 – 63 in overtime. Maddy Siegrist rose to the occasion scoring a career-high 42 points in the victory. Her two biggest points of the night were two free throws with less than a second on the clock to tie the game at 58 sending it to overtime.
“Just take your time and put them up and in,” said Siegrist about her thoughts at the foul line.
Siegrist made 14 of 25 shots and 2 of 6 from distance. She was a perfect 12 of 12 from the charity stripe, and added a game-high tying 13 rebounds. Siegrist moves into sixth place in the all-time scoring list at Villanova now with 1,575 points.
Marquette seemed poised to spoil the party in front of a crowd of 1,465 at the Finneran Pavilion. The Golden Eagles led for most of the game. The Wildcats stayed close. This was a one-possession game over the last 3:01. Nova could not get the lead, but pulled to within a point three times in that critical stretch.
A three-pointer by Brianna Herlihy, a layup by Brooke Mullin, and a short jumper by Siegrist got the Cats that close. But Marquette answered. Nova would get a shot clock violation and a travel by the Golden Eagles to get a chance, but turned the ball over with 4 seconds remaining in regulation. Nova needed to foul three times to finally get the Eagles on the foul line. Karissa McLaughlin was awarded two free throws with 2.2 seconds on the clock. She made one of two for a 58 – 56 Marquette lead.
Villanova called timeout to advance the ball to their offensive zone. The plan was simple, get the ball to Siegrist. Brooke Mullin did.
“When you are at 2.2 on the clock it has to be a direct line to the basket,” Dillon said. “Brooke (Mullin) placed it beautifully. They just made eye contact, sealed the back end and placed it like she was shooting the ball, straight to the rim. I couldn’t be happier with that execution.”
All during that stretch, the Wildcats believed things would turn their way.
“It was more of a will today,” said Villanova Coach Denise Dillon. “Maddy brought that will to win the game and they’re following suit. Never out. We say we’re going down fighting no matter what. These guys did just that. They felt the momentum swing in our direction. We were ready and on the defensive end we were connected.”
In the overtime it was all Villanova. The extra five minutes started with a steal and layup by Siegrist who followed that with a jumper, and a layup. Herlihy got a basket. Then the dagger came on a steal by Herlihy leading to a fast break layup by Bella Runyan for a 68 – 60 advantage with just over a minute and a half remaining. The Wildcats won the overtime 16 – 5.
“You just felt the game had swung,” Siegrist said. “We made our shots and you just keep building off that momentum. We were able to get a lot of stops defensively.”
For Marquette (17 – 6, 10 -4) Jordan King had a team-high 14 points. Lauren Van Kleunen had 13 points and 9 rebounds, while Antwainette Walker contributed 10 points. Chloe Marotta recorded a double-double getting 13 in points and rebounds.
Herlihy added 14 points for Villanova in an exciting atmosphere.
“It was really exciting especially coming off Wednesday,” said Siegrist. “They came out a cheered for us.”
“The atmosphere was really amazing, you could feel it,” said Dillon.
Villanova (17 – 6, 11 – 3), winners of nine consecutive games, can expect battles over the remaining schedule, and look forward to the challenge. Next up is a Sunday game at Seton Hall.
“We didn’t have Lior (Garzon) tonight, so we see what we are capable of doing,” Dillon said. “This group learned that early. We know it, we’re going to get everybody’s best, and they are certainly going to get ours.”
“Who doesn’t love to play games, especially when things are rolling why wouldn’t you play as many as you could as quickly as you can?” asked Siegrist.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
NOTES: This was the seventh straight overtime win for Villanova. The Big East record for most points in a single game was set by Angel McCoughtry of Louisville who scored 43 against Providence on January 31, 2009. Shelly Pennefather set the Villanova record with 44 points vs. Cheyney on December 27, 1985.
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