Villanova Opens the Season With a 64 – 52 Win Over Wake Forest at Home
November 10, 2024 –
It was a late season opener for the Villanova Wildcats, but they made it a successful one with a win over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at the Finneran Pavilion. The team that Nova fielded was different from the recent past as seven new players including four transfers and three freshman. The start was rocky for the Wildcats, but the team settled in a start the season with a 64 – 52 victory. The team blended and got better as the game progressed. Freshman guard Jasmine Bascoe and graduate transfer Bronagh Power-Cassidy led the way in points with 18 points and 17 in the game. Many contributed in this true team win.
“Bro (Bronagh Power-Cassidy) and I were talking about how it felt for her being the first official game and a lot of new people,” said Villanova Coach Denise Dillon. “She said they didn’t let it affect them when things weren’t going our way early with making shots, the recognition of getting the right shots, and they did what they’re capable of doing. Then the players stepped up.”
Villanova Cold Shooting at the Start
The Wildcats could not get on track at the start, missing their first nine shots, and fell behind 11 – 0 in the first seven minutes. Forward Lara Edmanson made the first Nova basket with 2:46 remaining in the first quarter. The quarter ended with the Demon Deacons leading 17 – 8.
The Turnaround Began
The roles reversed in the second quarter with Villanova winning the stanza 15 – 8 holding Wake Forest to 21.4% shooting (3 of 14). The Wildcats chipped away and the teams began the fourth quarter tied at 40.
“It goes back to that first quarter,” said guard Bronagh Power-Cassidy. “It was up and down. Shots weren’t dropping, but we all trust in each other. Once the ball goes in the basket, we’re going to have faith in everybody else that we’re going to keep rolling.”
The Turning Point
Early in the fourth quarter Villanova was playing consistently and confidently. The Wildcats took the lead at 44 – 42 on a layup by Maddie Webber off an assist by Bascoe. Power-Cassidy followed with a layup that rolled around the rim and went in. Power-Cassidy hit two three-pointers a few minutes later to increase the lead to double-digits.
“It came back to connecting as a team,” Power-Cassidy said. “We’re all pretty new, but we bonded very quickly. We were itching to get out on the floor and play against different people.”
What the Numbers Say
Webber scored 10 points for the Cats. Newcomers Edmundson had 9 while Jaliyah Green added 8 points. Power-Cassidy took down a team-high 6 rebounds while Bascoe assisted 5 times and stole the ball three times. Villanova shot 43.4% while Wake Forest made 40%.
Tamia Jones scored a game-best 19 points while Elise Williams added 11 for the Demon Deacons who win the rebounding stat 38 – 27. Jones pulled down 9 rebounds.
Taking care of the ball Nova had 10 turnovers to 17 for Wake who had the ball stolen 10 times.
Up Next
It is a short rest in between games for Villanova who play at Princeton on Wednesday.
New players, new look, and one remaining constant for this team.
“Credit to the defensive end,” Dillon said. “Their willingness to battle and fight as hard as possible. We came out, settled in defensively and figured the offense would come eventually. We were getting the right shots. It always has to be consistent on the defensive end.”
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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