Villanova Pummeled By No. 1 UConn in Big East Title Game

UNCASVILLE, Conn.—Villanova Women’s Basketball gave No. 1 UConn their toughest test of the season when they faced off at the Finneran Pavilion on Feb. 18, providing a glimmer of hope as they prepared to face the Huskies for the third time this season in the Big East Championship Game at Mohegan Sun Arena on Monday, March 9.

Instead, the Huskies won their sixth straight Big East championship 90-51, dominating the Wildcats (25-7) with their superior size and physicality. Jasmine Bascoe led the Wildcats with 14 points but went 5-of-19 from the field and fouled out with two minutes to play.

After senior forward Denae Carter sank a triple to cut the Huskies’ lead to 5-3 91 seconds into the game, the Wildcats went more than six minutes without making a shot from the field. Sophomore guard Dani Ceseretti provided a spark off the bench, knifing through UConn’s defense on the fast break and drawing a foul. Ceseretti sank both free throws and then a pair of threes, but the Huskies still held a 23-11 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Defensive Dominance

UConn unleashed a 20-3 run during the second quarter, forcing seven turnovers in the frame with an aggressive press that kept the Wildcats off balance in the backcourt. Once they crossed into the offensive end Villanova struggled to get penetration, attempting just 11 layups on the night as the Huskies outscored them 48-X18 in the paint.

Exacerbating that issue, the Wildcats made just seven of 37 three-point shots, unable to create any space through their play on the perimeter. Other than a 6-0 run bridging the end of the third quarter, Villanova didn’t make consecutive baskets at any point in the second half as the Huskies cruised to the finish.

Villanova should have an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament locked up. They’ll learn their seed during the selection show at 8 p.m. on Sunday, March 15.