Radnor, PA: One of the marquee games on the Women’s College basketball schedule came to Finneran Pavilion with a top-15 battle as Number 15 Villanova took on Number 6 UConn.
The Wildcats came into battle 23-4 while the Huskies made their way to the Main Line also at 23-4.
This game would be surrounded by the buzz of Villanova’s Maddy Siegrist who is in discussion for National Player of the year along with UConn’s Aailyah Edwards. The game was also a sellout, which was the first Villanova women’s basketball home sellout since 2004.
THANK YOU, #NovaNation! We’ll see you tomorrow. ✌️ pic.twitter.com/FiFcTpaGdW
— Villanova WBB (@novawbb) February 17, 2023
How the game went:
The first quarter was a very tight game which saw the Huskies take a 19-15 lead. Then, in the second quarter, UConn would add pressure on the Wildcats and would make a late run which saw them tie the game at 26 with under a minute left.
The Huskies would take a 28-26 lead into halftime.
In the second half, the Huskies & Wildcats would make big defensive plays while the star players from Villanova (Maddy Siegrist) & UConn (Aailyah Edwards) would do what they have done all season, which is getting their teammates involved to make plays.
Through three quarters, the Huskies continued to make things challenging for the Wildcats, leading 44-39.
The game got very interesting in the 4th quarter as the Huskies grew the lead up to 12 at 52-40 with 7:43 left. The Wildcats would wake up and got the crowd at Finneran Pavilion on their feet with a 10-0 run which got it down to 2 at 52-50.
10-0 run for @novawbb!
— BIG EAST WBB (@BIGEASTWBB) February 18, 2023
Wildcats are within two. pic.twitter.com/4cPF7lMJtf
The Wildcats just ran out of gas down the stretch, especially not finishing their shots.
UConn takes down Villanova 60-51 in a very hard-fought game.
Postgame:
UConn Coach Geno Auriemma:
Here is what I asked #Uconn coach Geno Auriemma after their win over #Villanova#UConnvsNova pic.twitter.com/kd8967vbXK
— David Malandra Jr (@DaveMReports) February 18, 2023
Villanova Coach Denise Dillion:
I asked #Villanova Coach Denise Dillon on what adjustments were made for that 10-0 run late in the second half#UConnvsNova #NCAAWBB #NovaNation pic.twitter.com/sxAIh3uOOx
— David Malandra Jr (@DaveMReports) February 19, 2023
Final Numbers:
What is Next:
The Wildcats are now 23-5 (14-3 in Big East) and will look to rebound from this tough loss as they take on DePaul on Feb 18.
