The Wildcats Started Strong Cruising to an 80 – 64 Win
VILLANOVA, PA 11/20/2024 –
The Villanova Wildcats created momentum early and win 80 – 64 in a Big Five pod game at the Finneran Pavilion behind balanced scoring led by forward Danae Carter who scored 16 points, one shy of her career-high, and took down a game-best 9 rebounds. The Wildcats scored the first seven points of the game. Then later getting out to a double digit lead. On defense the University of Pennsylvania made just 3 first quarter field goals. The result was a 44 – 22 Villanova lead at halftime. An important start to the game for Nova.
“It was great,” said Carter. “At shoot around and practice all week we really focused on running our stuff and that the plays would come to us. I think we did a great job of that, staying patient and getting what the defense offered us.”
The Wildcats defense limited the Quakers to 7 first half field goals. The lead would grow to 37 – 19 at the 4:42 mark of the second quarter on a three-pointer by Wildcats guard Maddie Burke, one of her four first half three-pointers.
The lead would expand to 29 points in the fourth quarter.
Villanova Stymied the Penn Offense
In the first half the Red and Blue had no assists and missed all 12 three-point attempts. The only response was isolating forward Stina Almqvist in the low post. Almqvist scored a game-high 24 points on 6 of 14 shooting and making 10 of 12 free throws.
“Stina was really good individually scoring,” said Penn Coach Mike McLaughlin. “But when you go into halftime and you don’t assist the ball, that’s a tough road to climb.”
“I don’t think we shared it right. I don’t think we delivered it right. We got hesitant on some shots.”
“Talking is really big for us, just communicating every spot on the floor that needs help,” Carter said about the Nova defensive effort. “And just ending each possession with the rebound so we can go to the other end.”
Four Wildcats Score in Double Figures
Guard Jasmine Bascoe also scored 16 points and handed out a career-high tying 5 assists. She has scored in double-digits in four consecutive games to start her college career. Maddie Burke added 14 points draining 4 of 6 from beyond the arc. Maddie Webber added 12 points to the scoring total.
Nova made 30 of 70 field goal attempts (42.9%), 9 of 26 from three-point land, and 11 of 15 from the free throw line. for the season the Wildcats have been good on 51 of 64 free throws.
The team is getting to know the concepts from the coaching staff.
“Just them learning to work together and learning each other and their tendencies,” said Villanova Coach Denise Dillon. “The best way to do that is just being patient within the offense. And the defensive end. You can’t be successful without it from the jump, no matter who you’re going up against.”
Penn Improves in the Second Half
The issue was decided, but the Quakers clawed back with 42 second half points and assisted 9 times. Mc Laughlin is looking to ensure his team remains competitive. They were as the game went along. It will not be long to see how the Quakers will respond as the next game is tomorrow against UC Irvine at the Palestra.
For the game Penn made 22 of 60 field goal attempts and sank only 16.7% from three-point land.
“We went four of twenty-four from three,” McLaughlin said. “It’s just not going to work. Just as I told them that we don’t start making some perimeter shots, we’re going to have a math problem. I think they can understand what that means.”
Big Five Picture Coming Into Focus
With this win Villanova ties Saint Joseph’s at the top of their pod. The winner of that game will play for the Big Five Championship. Penn finishes third in the pod and will play for fifth place.
The upcoming Hawks and Wildcats battle will be on December 1, after Villanova returns from the Battle of Atlantis. The storied rivalry evolves into a new phase, their first meeting since the WBIT Quarterfinal game.
“I think it has always been extremely strong the Villanova St. Joe’s rivalry,” said Villanova Coach Denise Dillon. “i told the team making that next game a big one. We talked about it at the beginning of the season. The opportunity to play championship basketball. It’s the Big Five. We’re heading to Atlantis. Three games there. Just the mentality of getting better and continuing to improve so you can put yourself in that spot to win a championship.’
Penn will play for fifth place in the Big Five Classic.
“I’m really looking forward to be a part of something for the first time,” said McLaughlin. “And more importantly, I’m excited for the players to experience it. We have players that are not from the Philadelphia area or in the region. They’re starting to understand what this is.”
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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