Villanova WBB Powers Past Xavier With Three-Point Barrage

Villanova Women’s Basketball got back in the win column on Thursday, Jan. 8, taking down the Xavier Musketeers 67-50 at the Finneran Pavilion.

The Wildcats (13-3, 6-1 Big East) started slow, making just three shots in the first nine minutes. Each of those came from beyond the arc, however, including a pair from Brynn McCurry, and were enough for Villanova to play to a 9-9 tie. They then surged in front on an 13-0 run that lasted into the second quarter, with Ryanne Allen and Kelsey Joens (18 points, 6-of-10 from three) continuing that success from deep, sinking consecutive threes on the final possessions of the first period.

While Villanova made just 39.1 percent of their shots on the day, a worse mark than the Musketeers (42.9 percent), they forced 21 turnovers and caught fire from three point range, converting on a much better 15-of-32. 33 of the Wildcats’ 67 points came off turnovers, and 12 offensive rebounds turned into 16 second chance points as Villanova managed to maintain pressure despite their occasional cold spells. Ball movement also proved crucial, as the Wildcats picked up 21 assists on just 25 shots made, Jasmine Bascoe leading the way with seven dishes to just one turnover.

An 8-0 Xavier run in the middle stages of the third quarter cut Villanova’s lead from 15 points down to 42-35, but the Wildcats continued to pour it on from three, sinking four of six shots in the fourth quarter and forcing six more turnovers.

Up next, Villanova Women’s Basketball will travel to face Providence at 12 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 11.