Villanova WBB Gives No. 1 UConn Their Toughest Test Yet

Villanova Women’s Basketball led No. 1 UConn for the majority of the first half of their Wednesday, Feb. 18 game at the Finneran Pavilion, but the Huskies began the third quarter on a 12-2 run and Villanova never recovered, going on to lose 83-69.

The Wildcats (21-6, 14-4 Big East) led for 41 percent of the game against the runaway top team in the country, sophomore guard Jasmine Bascoe leading the field with 26 points on 8-of-22 shooting. UConn (28-0) trailed 40-37 at the half, the first time they’d done so all season, and their 14-point margin of victory marked their second-lowest this season.

Huskies’ star freshman Sarah Strong (22 points) got into foul trouble with 16 minutes left to play, giving Villanova a chance to cut into their 49-44 deficit. Senior and Big East Player of the Year candidate Azzi Fudd (25 points) powered the Huskies’ resurgence, adding 12 points and four assists in the second half.

Villanova senior Denae Carter scored a career night, making eight of nine shots (including a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc, a rarity for the post player) but no other Wildcat managed to hit double digits. The Wildcats forced 18 turnovers, turning those plays into 28 points, but committed 26 themselves, limiting their ability to cut into the lead: UConn pushed their advantage as high as 76-55 midway through the fourth quarter.

Up next, Villanova will host Marquette at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22.