Villanova WBB Makes Right Plays at Right Times in Up-and-Down Win

Villanova Women’s Basketball advanced to the semifinal round of the Big East Tournament on Saturday, March 7, defeating Providence 73-65 in a game that saw both teams endure shooting droughts of four minutes or more.

After the Wildcats built a 30-14 second quarter lead, the Friars reeled off a 19-2 run that put them in front. Villanova managed to regain their composure before landing the fatal blow, a 16-0 run across the third and fourth quarters that lasted more than six minutes and quashed any hope of a comeback. 

Sophomore guard Jasmine Bascoe, who led the field with 31 points, said that the cold stretches she and her teammates went through during the regular season helped them regroup in this do-or-die situation.

“We’ve been in that situation a couple times this year, so we know if we settle down, trust ourselves, we’ll be fine,” Bascoe said. “They’re a great team, and we just knew if we believed in ourselves, like I said, and just played Villanova basketball, then we’d be all right.”

Senior forward Denae Carter (10 points, six rebounds) noted how the Wildcats’ bench helped them keep their cool.

“I feel like as a team, we do a really good job of resetting as a group, and when teams go on those runs, we’re able to come back together, take a deep breath,” Carter said. “And it’s really not just the five on the court. I think it’s our whole entire team. They keep us composed. We have a defensive assignment every game, so I think reminding us throughout, it’s really big for us.”

Erin Batth Speaks Up

Providence head coach Erin Batth said that she emphasized rebounding heading into the game, knowing that the Wildcats’ propensity for three-point shots would make for some wild caroms off the glass.

“We knew they’re great. First of all, great shooters and very smart, high key players, you know, and athletic too. They check a lot of boxes. So one of our biggest goals was to control the boards offensively and defensively,” Batth said. “Because even though they shoot a lot of threes, long rebounds, and so you really gotta make connection, it’s harder to kind of bring down a three-point shot, because it goes over your head, you’ve got to make contact, you grab the ball with two hands.” 

While Providence ended up winning 35-32 on the glass, Batth credited Villanova for their ability to make the right plays at the right times, noting that three of their five offensive rebounds came in the final five minutes.

“At the very end, you know, we’re making a run, and then they got some offensive boards. They only have five, but they counted,” Batth said. “The 5 they got, they got some crazy, the wrong time for us, and kind of put a dagger in it. But we didn’t quit.”

Kennedy Henry Enters the Record Books

Guard Kennedy Henry, who landed on the Big East All-Freshman and All-Defensive teams, contributed a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Villanova head coach Denise Dillon tasked Henry with guarding Friars’ leading scorer Sabou Gueye, who finished with 19 points. Dillon praised Henry for how she responded to Gueye’s success.

“Kennedy, she had a big assignment tonight. And initially, you know, got a little frustrated, worn out, she regrouped and showed what she was capable of. She’s had a tremendous freshman year,” Dillon said. “And she’s shown what she’s capable of, tapping into her ability, but she can do a lot of things on the floor, very versatile and fits beautifully with what we do. So it’s nice to see her get it together and get those stops, get the rebounds, the scoring, she did a lot of everything for us today.”

Last season, Bascoe set the Wildcats’ freshman record for steals. That mark stood for just one season: Henry surpassed her in the third quarter, picking Gueye’s pocket to set up a Bascoe layup.

“I’m very happy about it. I’m not complaining at all,” Bascoe said of the record. 

“That’s effort. You know, that doesn’t just happen. That’s not luck. That’s effort. And she gives her all every game and she’s earned her spot as a freshman for sure, and she’s a great teammate. We love playing with her and she’s very versatile. So not only can she defend, she’s great on offense, and so we love creating for her as well.”