On Sunday, Feb. 23, Villanova took a 63-56 loss in its only meeting with Providence this season.
While a late-game defensive stand helped Villanova (16-12, 10-6 Big East) overcome Georgetown earlier this week, it couldn’t produce the same energy closing out Sunday night’s tight matchup against Providence (12-18, 5-12 Big East).
The Wildcats are now ranked fifth in the Big East. Meanwhile, Providence is tied with Butler for seventh in the conference.
Sophomore guard Maddie Webber led Villanova with 17 points and three rebounds. Graduate forward Maddie Burke also scored 13 points with three assists, shooting 5-for-9 from the field.
Providence significantly limited Villanova’s leading scorer, freshman guard Jasmine Bascoe, to nine points and two rebounds.
On the Friars’ side, senior forward Olivia Olsen led the way with 18 points, and graduate guard Brynn Farrell scored another 17 points.
Despite forcing 16 turnovers from the Friars, and committing just 10 themselves, the Wildcats could not generate their typical offense. Villanova’s shooting was substandard across the board as the Wildcats shot just 34.4% from the field and 27.6% from three across the game.
Villanova lost the rebound battle, 47-24.
The Wildcats were also hindered by committing 18 personal fouls, allowing the Friars to tack on 16 points from the free throw line.
Providence’s energetic start set Villanova back early on. The Friars finished the first quarter ahead, 18-11.
A 9-3 run, supported by threes from Burke and Webber, helped the Wildcats get back in the action to start the second quarter. Villanova also improved on defense and outscored Providence, 15-7, in the quarter.
Free throws from senior guard Jaliyah Green gave Villanova a 26-25 advantage heading into halftime.
In a competitive second half, Providence led by just one with four minutes and 31 seconds left. A Bascoe steal that resulted in a Webber layup put Villanova in position to tie the game.
Providence’s dominance on the backboards in the final minutes helped it take advantage of Villanova’s missed shots.
With 23 seconds left, a Bascoe basket put Villanova behind by just three, but the Friars added four points from the free throw line in the last 18 seconds to extend their final lead.
Villanova will play its last home game of the season against Butler on Wednesday, Feb. 26 (6 p.m., FloSports) and then to close out the regular season, Villanova will go on the road to take on Creighton on Sunday, March 2 (8:30 p.m., FS1).
