Ryanne Allen Makes Five Three-Pointers in the Second Quarter
VILLANOVA, PA. 12/19/2025 –
It is the Big East home opener for the Villanova Wildcats hosting the Seton Hall Pirates. The Wildcats remembered the game last season and how the Pirates won on a reverse layup at the buzzer. Not this year as Villanova rode a barrage of three-point baskets in the second quarter, five by Ryanne Allen in defeating Seton Hall 72 – 55. Allen tied her career-high in scoring with 19 points and made three-point field goals. In the quarter Nova had 8 field goals, 7 from beyond the arc in taking a double-digit lead at halftime. The Cats controlled the game from there stretching the lead to as many as 15 points in the second half.
The Wildcats tied the game at 14 before the shots from distance began to fall. Allen and Kelsey Joens began the run followed by Brynn McCurry, then four straight by the senior guard. Her trey at 3:25 put Nova in front 26 – 20. She would score the next three baskets, all triples, as Villanova took a 35 – 25 lead into halftime.
“My teammates were finding me and once I was open I had the confidence just to knock it down.” Allen said. “After seeing a couple go in it was just natural at that point.”
It was a sight Villanova Coach Denise Dillon was happy to see.
“I don’t know if she had to see the basket, just let it go,” said Dillon. “Follow through was on point. It was fantastic. We needed it big time.”
The Wildcats Needed the Defense Early
The shots were not falling early for Nova, In the first quarter they made 5 of 18 field goal attempts. But they did limit Seton Hall to 5 of 14 shooting. While Villanova was shaking off the rust on offense, the defense was there throughout. The Wildcats had active hands on defense and would register 11 steals. McCurry had a career-high 4 steals while Jasmine Bascoe swiped three. The usual offensive stars were doing it on defense.
“I was super proud of our commitment on the defensive end,” Dillon said. “Our defense created some offense for us when the shots weren’t falling. They were getting open looks because they were sharing the basketball. That settled us all.”
What the Numbers Say
Bascoe filled the stat sheet scoring a game-high 20 points while adding 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. This is her third twenty-point game of the season for the sophomore guard. Allen was successful on 5 of 7 three-point field goals.
Villanova was 0 for 2 from the free throw line.
Savannah Catalon led Seton Hall with 11 points and 6 rebounds. Jade Eads scored a team-best 12points. She posted 10 points in the first two quarters.
Up Next
It will be Big East play for the remainder if the season. St. John’s comes to the Finneran Pavilion on Monday. Meanwhile the Wildcats team will be lending their support to their friends on the football team as they play in the FCS Semifinal on Saturday.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: glenn@phillycollegesports.com
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