After a tough loss to Creighton on Friday night, Villanova women’s basketball bounced back on Sunday afternoon, traveling to D.C. and beating Georgetown 64-56. 

Both teams started the game off slow, with the score sitting at 11-11 after the first quarter. The Wildcats struggled on the defensive end, giving up six offensive rebounds to the Hoyas allowing for several second chance scoring opportunities. Luckily for the ‘Cats, Georgetown was unable to convert on most of these chances, allowing Villanova to keep the score close. 

The second quarter proved better for the Wildcats, as they were able to get a rhythm on the offensive end, sparked by back-to-back three pointers from freshman forward Lior Garzon coming off the bench. Garzon has been key for the ‘Cats this season and has provided energy and scoring off the bench that has been crucial in many of their victories. 

Behind scoring from Garzon and redshirt sophomore Maddy Siegrist, the ‘Cats were able to build a small lead, heading into halftime ahead by 5. 

The Hoyas scored the first two baskets and a free throw in the third quarter to tie the game at 28-28. The ‘Cats responded with a 13-6 run to go up by seven with 1:52 remaining in the third. Villanova tried to continue this run and pull away, but the Hoyas were not done yet. Georgetown scored six quick points to cut the Wildcat lead to 3 entering the final quarter. 

The Hoyas made every effort to take the lead in the fourth, cutting the lead to one with 6:51 remaining, but the Wildcats responded with a 14-4 run to extend the lead to 11 with 53 seconds left in gameplay. Georgetown had multiple scoring opportunities in the last minute to try and catch Villanova but were unable to capitalize. Siegrist made two free throws with 0:03 remaining to clinch the win for the Wildcats. 

It took an all around team effort from the Wildcats to close out the game, with five Wildcats scoring in the fourth quarter. Freshman guard Bella Runyan scored her only two points of the game in this quarter, as well as recording two steals to spark the Villanova defense, which was much improved from the first half. 

Maddy Siegrist led all scorers with 31 points and 16 rebounds, on 11-21 shooting from the floor, and 8-9 from the free throw line. This was Siegrist’s fourth 30-point game this season, fifth in her career. Siegrist also leads the Big East with ten double doubles this season, and 21 in her career. 

Senior forward Brianna Herlihy added 18 points and four rebounds for the ‘Cats, on 6-9 shooting. This marks Herlihy’s 15th double figure scoring game this season. 

Lior Garzon scored 11 points on 4-7 shooting, 3-5 from beyond the arc. This is Garzon’s ninth double figure scoring game of the season. 

The Hoyas only played seven players in Sunday’s matchup, all of them contributing on the offensive end. Sophomore forward Graceann Bennett led the Hoyas with 13 points and 5 rebounds. 

Leading scorer for the Hoyas this season, freshman guard Kelsey Ransom scored 10 points, and added 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals. Fellow freshman guard, Taylor Baur, tallied 7 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 assists for the Hoyas.

The loss drops the Hoyas to a record of 1-13 in conference, they have not played any non-conference opponents. The Wildcats improve to 13-4, 8-4 in conference play, keeping them at #4 in the Big East. 

Villanova is scheduled to play next on Wednesday Feb. 24 when they travel to Providence. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.