Villanova Women’s Basketball Shakes Away Rust in Preseason Win Over FDU

Villanova Women’s Basketball won their lone preseason game on Sunday, Oct. 18, defeating Fairleigh Dickinson 68-45 as they shook off their offseason rust. Playing without forward Brynn McCurry (out for the season due after ACL reconstruction surgery) and freshman center Janet Oriakhi, the Wildcats struggled to settle in early, committing six turnovers in the first 11 minutes of play. 

Villanova trailed 17-14 midway through the second quarter, which is when star junior Jasmine Bascoe drilled a game-tying three-point jumper that sparked an 18-2 run that left the Knights in the dust. The Wildcats made five of eight three-pointers in the frame while simultaneously limiting Fairleigh Dickinson’s offense, holding them to one of 16 threes made (17-for-60 overall) on the day; 17 turnovers turned into 22 Villanova points, but the home team didn’t play a clean game either. Bascoe struggled with turnovers in the first half, committing five, but managed to lead the field in scoring (14 points), assists (six) and three point shooting (2-for-5).

Wildcats head coach Denise Dillon trotted out a starting lineup of guards Kennedy Henry, Kelsey Joens and Dani Ceseretti along with 6-foot-3 center Anna Foley; newcomers like freshman Alexis Eberz (nine points and four rebounds in 23 minutes) and Miami transfer Simone Pelish (five points in 21 minutes) were first off the bench, while Elise Bender made four of five shots in her Villanova debut.  

The Wildcats pushed their lead to 25 points on an Eberz three midway through the fourth quarter, keeping up the pressure and recording seven assists across 10-of-11 shooting. Villanova will return to action at 12 p.m. EDT in Rome, Italy against Notre Dame in their Sunday, Nov. 1 season opener.