Villanova Downs Creighton 74 – 64 in Women’s Basketball New Year’s Day Game
VILLANOVA, PA 1/1/26 –
The Wildcats continue their winning ways and remain undefeated in Big East play. Villanova downs the Creighton Blue Jays 74 – 64 at the Finneran Pavilion behind a career-high 19 points by freshman Kennedy Henry. The first year guard from Hockessin, DE also set a career-mark with 6 made field goals, three from beyond the arc. But her accomplishment in this game was filling the stat sheet. Henry took down 6 rebounds, and 3 blocked shots, both one shy of her collegiate-best. Additionally she had 3 assists and 2 steals. A very active game that suits Henry.
“Getting stops and rebounds, getting steals, getting blocks just fuels me,” said Henry. “Even if I am not scoring it makes me feel like I am doing something for my teammates and helping us the best way I know I can.”
Defense Led to Offense
Creighton started off by scoring the first 8 points of the game. Nova finally got on the board at the 6:35 mark on a three-pointer by Dani Ceseretti off an assist by Jasmine Bascoe. After the media timeout the Wildcats turned up the defense. To halftime the Bluejays turned the ball over 10 times, 5 by Wildcats steals. In the second quarter Creighton shot 26.7%, adjusted and down from 41.7% in the first quarter. Villanova held a 36 – 23 lead.
“Our team dives off defense,” said Henry. “Me playing defense I feel that excites our team. That leads us to play Villanova basketball. On the offensive end because we just got a great stop. Now we want to capitalize off it. That allows us to go score.”
There were two big runs for the Wildcats that created the advantage. With Creighton leading 13 – 5 Nova guard Ryanne Allen drained a three-ball at the 2:29 in the first quarter. That basket started a 12 – 0 run that extended into the second quarter. The Bluejays ended the streak at the 8:50 mark on a three by Neleigh Gessert. The Wildcats responded with 10 consecutive points featured by two baskets from beyond the arc by Allen.
Creighton did not go away and cut the lead to 8 late in the third quarter on a basket by Kendall McGee. They got no closer as Villanova extended the gap to as may as 17 points.
Nova is showing an identity of allowing the defense create the offense. Runs can be a one and done type of thing. This team is showing the ability to keep and increase the deficit.
“You need to,” said Villanova Coach Denise Dillon. “You look in the second half if we did not have that cushion it becomes a single possession game. As opposed to having a little bit of that breathing room.”
What the Numbers Say
Allen contributed by scoring 14 points. She made 5 of 6 from the floor and 3 of 4 from distance. An efficient 25:29 minutes of play. Bascoe added 15 points and handed out 6 assists. Forward Danae Carter scored 10 points and grabbed 5 rebounds. Brynn McCurry had 6 rebounds.
Villanova made 8 of 16 three’s. Allen and Henry accounted for 6 of 9 from distance.
Gessert led Creighton in scoring getting a career-high tying 25 points on 8 of 15 shooting, 7 of 10 from three-point land which tied her best in made three-point field goals. Kennedy Townsend added 19 points while McGee scored 14 points and dished out 5 assists. Grace Bofeli pulled down 7 boards and blocked a collegiate-best 4 shots. As a team the Bluejays swatted 7 Wildcats shots.
Up Next
Villanova (12 – 2, 5 – 0 Big East) goes on the road facing a big test at Marquette.
“Next up we got a real tough one in Wisconsin against Marquette,” said Dillon. So get this group rested up for a short period of time, and them we’ll be back at it.”
Creighton drops to 6 – 8 overall, 2 – 3 in conference. The Bluejays head home to host Butler.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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