In the final minutes of Villanova’s rout of Xavier (1-10, 0–2 Big East) on Saturday, junior guard Lucy Olsen surpassed the 30-point threshold for the fifth time this season.

That game, Olsen marked an even more impressive milestone in her third season with the Wildcats: exceeding 1,000 career points.

Olsen’s commanding offensive performance helped the Wildcats secure their first Big East win of the season, topping the Musketeers, 86–45. Villanova now improves to an 8–5 overall record and 1–1 conference record.

Shots were falling for the home team at the Finn. Junior forward Christina Dalce and freshman guard Maddie Webber finished the game with 11 points apiece.

The Wildcats opened the game with a 14–0 run. Three-pointers from both Olsen and Webber and two successful free-throws from Dalce contributed to the early lead.

The Wildcats finished the first quarter up 22–9 on 38-percent shooting.

The onslaught intensified in the second period. 

The Wildcats added 27 points and shot 71 percent from the field. The ‘Cats also went 3–6 from three.

Meanwhile, the Musketeers were held to just three points that quarter, going 1–7 from the field.

After halftime, Xavier began to clean up a feeble first twenty minutes. 

The Musketeers added 15 points in the third quarter, while limiting the Wildcats to 18. Villanova also slowed down from behind the arc, going just 2–9.

Nevertheless, the Wildcats maintained their lead of over 30 points throughout the third quarter, which they finished ahead, 67–29.

By the arrival of the fourth period, the game was irrecoverable for Xavier. 

A layup from Dalce with just under seven minutes to go increased the deficit to 48, Villanova’s widest lead of the game.

The Wildcats cruised through the remaining minutes.

Effective defense also aided Villanova’s blowout win. The Wildcats scored 40 of their points off 32 forced Xavier turnovers. Olsen led the team with six defensive rebounds.

The Wildcats will return to action on Wednesday, Jan. 3 for their next Big East matchup, on the road against Seton Hall. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.