Villanova Stops Georgetown in the Last 5 Minutes for a 70 – 65 Win
VILLANOVA, PA 2/19/2025 –
The Villanova Wildcats women’s basketball team has won 8 of their last 10 games. It is crucial to win these February games. This time of year the Wildcats are looking to play their best basketball, get the best possible seed in the conference tournament, and fill their resume for an NCAA Tournament bid. To do so they would need a win over the Georgetown Hoyas, and got it toughing out a 70 – 65 home win.
“It’s a long season and the Big East is the most important,” said Villanova Coach Denise Dillon. “You want to finish, keep climbing. Continue just to climb. Put yourself in the best position possible and the results will take care of themselves.”
Bascoe Leads the Offense
Freshman guard Jasmine Bascoe keyed the offense tying her career-high 26 points. In the first half she posted 19 points.
“I think it is just a trust from my teammates,” said Bascoe. “We’re going to each other know that we are going to take good shots for each other. They were giving me the ball in the spots that I was open, so I was going to shoot them. I was lucky I made my first shot so I got going early, but I was like, let me keep shooting until it’s not me.”
In the second half she had 7 facing the tough defense of a bigger, more experienced Hoya guard Kelsey Ransom. Overall Bascoe made 9 of 15 shots and drained 4 of 5 three-pointers, setting a career-high that category.
Defense at the End
Villanova held the lead until just under 7 minutes remained in the fourth quarter falling behind 57 – 55. The teams would trade the advantage down the stretch. A basket by Ransom gave the Hoyas a 62 – 61 lead with four minutes remaining. That was the last Georgetown points until the 12 second mark.
Villanova scored the next 9 points keyed by Danae Carter, who scored 5 points, and a huge three by Maddie Burke. But it was their defense that made the difference. Over that last four minute stretch the Wildcats in succession forced a turnover, drew an offensive foul, blocked the next two shots, caused a miss, and another turnover. And allowed only a single offensive rebound.
“We felt they were on the same page with what needed to be executed defensively,” Dillon said. “I thought we did a good job holding our ground and finishing with the rebound, That’s the biggest piece.”
What the Numbers Say
Maddie Webber scored 15 points, 10 in the second half when Georgetown focused on stopping Bascoe. She hit 6 of 14 shots and 3 of 7 from deep. Carter added11 points and a team-high 6 rebounds.
Of the nine who played for Nova eight players handed out at least one assist. The team had 17 assists on 24 field goals. Team ball on display.
“We talked about that. That was the last thing we said in the locker room,” said Dillon. “That shows when we move the basketball, we’re hard to guard. Everyone being a threat and an option.”
Ransom scored a team-best 25 points for the Hoyas making 7 field goals, 2 three’s, and drained all 9 of her free throws. Ransom pulled down 10 rebounds for her second double-double of the season. Ariel Jenkins had her 9th double-double getting 16 points and 11 caroms.
Up Next
Georgetown (11 – 15, 4 – 11) looks to break a 4 game losing streak when Marquette comes to DC.
Villanova (16 – 11, 10 – 5) is tied for third place in the league with Seton Hall and Marquette. They travel to Providence for a game against the 4 – 12 Friars on Sunday. Nova seeks their fourth straight victory.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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