On Friday, Dec. 6, Villanova women’s basketball hosted the first-ever women’s Big 5 Tournament. After a decisive win over Saint Joseph’s the week before, Villanova faced Temple in the championship game.
Temple (6-3) became the Big 5 champion as Villanova (5-5) fell short.
The ‘Cats came out strong, going on a 9-0 run to open the game. Temple quickly answered back, cutting it down to 9-8.
Both teams struggled with turnovers early on, with Villanova giving up four and Temple six in just one quarter. The remainder of the first quarter was messy, as both teams struggled to find their groove. Sophomore guard Maddie Webber led the way with six points, and the Wildcats ended the half leading 19-16.
The Wildcats struggled with more missed layups and fouls throughout the second quarter. The Owls continued to fight and keep the game within three to five points the entire way. Villanova was able to maintain their lead and finish out the half up four points (34-30).
One of the Wildcats’ biggest downfalls of the matchup was shooting from outside the arc, as they were 0-11 from beyond the arc at halftime. For a team that heavily favors the three-point shot, Villanova failed to repeat last Sunday’s strong performance in which it outshot Saint Joe’s, 52.9% to 28.6%, from the three point line.
“You want shooters to continue to shoot,” noted head coach Denise Dillon. “But I think we had to make, you know, that’s on me, some better play calls so we could get some easier looks.”
Villanova ended the game completing just 3-of-20 from the three point line.
Villanova was also out rebounded, 19-11, by Temple heading into the locker room, and finished with 26 rebounds to Temple’s 34.
Junior guard Ryanne Allen made a brief, seven-minute debut in the blue and white for the first time this season after being out with a knee injury she sustained before the start of non-conference play.
“[Ryanne will] be alright, she just has to have some more practice under her belt, but it was really good to have her in the rotation,” Dillon said.
Villanova began to let up in the beginning of the third, allowing Temple to pick up its largest lead of the game so far after going on an 11-0 scoring run.

The Wildcats continued to commit fouls, giving the Owls the edge throughout the third quarter. The lead went back and forth, but Temple came out on top at the end of the third, 55-50.
The ‘Cats continued to commit turnovers all throughout the fourth, allowing the Owls to further extend their lead. Temple’s guards only got hotter, as they drained three pointers to finish off the Wildcats, winning 62-76.
“I was a little surprised by our lack of intensity,” Dillon said. “I was not pleased with our attention to detail on either end of the court.”
Freshman point guard Jasmine Bascoe led in both scoring and rebounds for Villanova, putting up 19 points and 7 rebounds. Webber and graduate forward Lara Edmanson also reached double digits, with Webber grabbing 12 points and Edmanson scoring 11.
Next up, the ‘Cats will head to Connecticut on Sunday, Dec. 8th to face Fairfield (5-2). Tip off is set for 2 p.m.
Villanova will finish up non conference play against two of Dillon’s former CAA Conference foes, Delaware and James Madison. The Wildcats begin Big East play on Saturday, Dec. 21 against St. John’s.