Villanova Women’s Basketball Runs Xavier Off Their Own Court

Villanova Women’s Basketball dominated Xavier 78-38 on Wednesday, Feb. 11, running the Musketeers off their own court for their fifth win in a row.

The Wildcats (20-5, 13-3 Big East) took time to find an offensive rhythm, making just 41.2 percent of their shots in the first half because of an ugly 3-for-16 clip from beyond the arc. They forced 22 turnovers and outrebounded the Musketeers 48-27, bench forward Kylee Watson leading the category with nine boards. Sophomore guard Jasmine Bascoe led the field with 18 points and added seven assists: of the 33 shots the Wildcats made on the night, 25 came because of an assist.

Villanova allowed just one shot from the field in the first eight minutes, forcing seven turnovers in the opening quarter and opening a 12-4 lead. Bascoe kicked a pass out to freshman forward Brooke Bender at the end of the frame, Bender splashing a corner three before the buzzer and kicking off a 10-0 run that lasted into the second quarter.

While the Wildcats struggled from beyond the arc Xavier’s offense went through a monumental shooting rut, making just five of 23 shots in the first half and none of their 12 tries from three. Villanova led 34-14 at the break and then blew the game open in the second half, scoring 37 points (12 of them from Brynn McCurry) and making seven of 11 triples. The Wildcats allowed three threes in a span of 144 seconds in the fourth quarter but otherwise pitched a shutout, holding Xavier off the board for the final five minutes.

Up next, Villanova Women’s Basketball will travel to face Creighton at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15.