Dominating on your home court can be pressure filling enough, and when you have a Top-15 national ranking to uphold, pressure can increase tenfold. 

But for the No. 15 women’s basketball team, they’re oblivious to the pressure, especially when they’re led by no other than senior forward Maddy Siegrist.

The Wildcats’ commanding 99-65 win over Seton Hall (15-9, 8-6 Big East) on Saturday at the Finneran Pavilion was led by Siegrist’s 50 points, her new all-time career high. 

Siegrist set several records in the game. She is now the all time leading scorer in Big East conference games, and with her 50 point afternoon, she now holds the Big East single game scoring record. 

“Maybe some days, it’s just your day,” Siegrist said.  

However, despite Siegrist’s stellar efforts, it did take the ‘Cats a full quarter to find their rhythm. 

The first 10 minutes of play were a matter of trading baskets. Villanova struggled to keep hold of defensive rebounds, affording the Pirates with longer offensive possessions and more chances to put up shots outside the paint. 

However, the Wildcats came out of the quarter up by one, and as the second quarter began, an electric Finneran Pavilion crowd saw the ‘Cats ease into play and find their rhythm. 

The first five minutes of the second quarter remained close, as Seton Hall continued to respond to each shot the Wildcats put up, but with just shy of four minutes remaining, senior guard Brooke Mullin hit a massive three to allow Villanova to go up, 30-25. 

Following Mullin’s three pointer, Villanova got a stop, allowing junior guard Maddie Burke to come back to the other end and score a basket.

From there, it was nothing but smooth sailing for Villanova and panic from the Pirates. 

A foul on the floor followed by consecutive technicals on Seton Hall gave the Wildcats six free foul shots. Villanova made five of six, going into halftime up, 44-28. 

As the second half started, the Wildcats brought the same energy as they finished the first half with, going on a 7-0 run to open the period. 

“I think confidence is growing within the individual’s abilities,” head coach Denise Dillon said. “When you have a player of Maddy’s talent…it becomes contagious. They feed off that confidence.” 

Siegrist got better as the game went on. She scored 15 of Villanova’s 21 points in the third quarter, and in the fourth, she scored 13 to hit a half-century of points.

While the second half efforts and ultimate win were largely led by Siegrist, she was not alone in her efforts. 

“I wouldn’t be the player I am without my teammates,” Siegrist said. “I wouldn’t be anywhere without them.” 

“We talk about celebrating each other, celebrating accomplishments,” Dillon added. “There’s nothing greater…the love they have [for each other], the support for each other carries over and again, see, they’re just doing what [they] do best, playing the game they love.” 

Villanova takes the momentum from Siegrist’s record-breaking afternoon into its biggest matchup of the season. The Wildcats face No. 4 UConn at the Finn on Saturday, and the winner of the game will take first place in the Big East. Tip-off is set for 2:30 p.m. and will be televised on FOX.