Villanova Claims Big 5 Title Behind Big Night From McCurry

Villanova, Pa.—Villanova Women’s Basketball won the Big 5 Classic championship game at the Finneran Pavilion on Sunday, Dec. 7, defeating the Saint Joseph’s Hawks 76-70 behind a 21 point night from Brynn McCurry.

The redshirt sophomore forward missed all of last season with a knee injury but has rounded into form in recent weeks: those 21 points match a career high set at No. 25 West Virginia six days previously. The Wildcats (8-2), now winners of six games in a row, have also won four of the last five Big 5 titles outright.

Saint Joseph’s managed to stay neck and neck with Villanova through the first 15 minutes, forcing three ties and four lead changes, but the Hawks’ lack of bench scoring ultimately cost them. Rhian Stokes led the field with 23 points and six assists, one of three Saint Joseph’s starters to finish in double digits, but they received just three points from their reserves. 

McCurry and Brooke Bender sank threes on consecutive possessions to put Villanova in front 29-23 midway through the second quarter, a lead that held throughout. The Hawks managed to cut within a possession on 11 separate occasions in the second half, but they couldn’t come up with the tying shot. 

A Gabby Casey three made it 65-63 with 5:35 to play, but a 7-0 Villanova run ate up much of the next five minutes as the Wildcats closed out the win.

Up next, Villanova will host Seton Hall in their Big East home opener at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19.