Villanova Defeats Marquette 65 – 53 at the Finneran Pavilion
February 2, 2025 –
The Villanova Wildcats and the Marquette Golden Eagles have what can be described as a close rivalry. Not by geography, it is because the games are usually close. So close that the last four games have been decided by a total of twelve points. Not so in this game as Villanova wins by a dozen 65 -53.
Strong Second Quarter Effort for Villanova
The Wildcats won the second quarter doubling up the Golden Eagles to take a 38 – 26 halftime lead. Villanova did so by playing with balance on both ends of the floor. Most every player was able to contribute on the offensive end. On defense the team would benefit from 6 Marquette turnovers which led to 11 points for the hosts. A 9 – 2 runover the last 4:06 would give the Wildcats control.
“There was times in the second quarter, it felt like we were having fun,” said Villanova guard Bronagh Power-Cassidy, “It felt like we were getting good movement. Earlier in the first we were a little slower to reverse the ball. So switching that up in the second gave us momentum on both ends of the floor.”
During the first half Villanova had 10 assists on 13 baskets, and drained 6 of 12 three-pointers. The game was tilted in the Wildcats direction, and they wanted to keep it that way,
“As a team we don’t want to take any moment for granted no matter how we are playing. It’s always the next two minutes,” Power-Cassidy said. “When shots are dropping, it’s going to give you momentum and try to limit their runs as much as you want to increase yours.”
Third Quarter Marquette Charge Withstood by Villanova
The Golden Eagles mounted a comeback getting to within 6 points three different times. It was to be expected especially since Marquette erased a deficit of 9 points in the win in Milwaukee in January. This time Villanova stood firm and stretched the lead to double digits going into the final ten minutes.
“It was huge,” Villanova Coach Denise Dillon said about holding off Marquette. “The win itself is big, but how we came about and learning from past games. We fell off the cliff a little bit. I was proud of this group, and I think they recognized it as opposed to it coming from me. They felt it was stagnant, stale in the third, and just relieving themselves of the pressure by just moving the ball and making plays.
What the Numbers Say
Jasmine Bascoe led the Wildcats in scoring with 17 points and handed out 6 assists. Danae Carter put in 15 points to go along with 6 rebounds. Power-Cassidy contributed 14 points converting 4 of 5 from beyond the arc.
As a team Villanova shot 42.6% (23 of 54) and went 8 for 17 from three-point range.
Marquette got a season-high tying 20 points from Halle Vice who made 9 of 10 field goal attempts, and added 8 rebounds. Olivia Porter set a collegiate-mark of 11 rebounds. Skylar Forbes scored 12 points and Jaidynn Mason added 10 points.
The Golden Eagles did not make a three-point field goal missing all nine.
Up Next
Close? The Wildcats and the Golden Eagles share a 6- 4 Big East record and are tied for 4th place.
Marquette hosts St. John’s on Wednesday.
Villanova goes to Butler the same night looking for another win and for consistency.
“I feel we are playing better basketball,” Dillon said. “That’s exactly what you want. You want continue just to grow, to to get better as a whole and we are. I want them to continue to have that effort and energy. It’s not negotiable. When you bring that every day and you continue to get better and more comfortable as a team, the results do take care of themselves.”
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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