Villanova WBB: Bascoe Balls in Big East Opener

Villanova Women’s Basketball played their Big East opener on Thursday, Dec. 4, defeating the Georgetown Hoyas 76-69 behind a 26 point night from sophomore guard Jasmine Bascoe. Brynn McCurry added 20 points, the only other Wildcat to finish in double digits as they struggled with turnovers, committing 22.

Now winners of five straight games, the Wildcats (7-2, 1-0 Big East) won with their defense, holding the Hoyas to a 35 percent clip from the field.

Villanova fell behind 9-4 early, committing three turnovers and making just two of their first 11 shots. That was the largest lead the Hoyas managed as Dani Ceserretti sank a three off a feed from Bascoe, sparking a 10-2 run that put the Wildcats ahead 14-11 after ten minutes. Villanova began to build some distance in the second period with threes from Kelsey Joens and Bascoe, but six turnovers prevented them from gaining a comfortable lead.

As is her custom, Bascoe sank a layup at the buzzer to make it 32-25 at the half. She then began to pour it in in the third quarter, scoring 13 points in the frame and assisting on five more as Villanova pushed their lead to 15. While foul trouble and turnovers continued to plague the Wildcats, Georgetown went more than four minutes without a basket on two separate occasions in the second half, helping Villanova close out the win.

Up next, the Wildcats will face Saint Joseph’s in the Big 5 Classic championship game at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7. That game will take place at the Finneran Pavilion.