On Sunday, March 2, Villanova traveled to Omaha, NE for its final regular season game of the season against No. 22 Creighton.
Despite a strong performance from freshman guard Jasmine Bascoe, netting her career high of 27 points and leading the team with nine rebounds, the Wildcats were defeated, 70-55. Sophomore Maddie Webber followed behind Bascoe with 14 points.
Villanova shot 37.5% from field goal range and 22.7% from the three point.
The Wildcats also fell to the Bluejays (23-4, 15-2 Big East) in their previous matchup at home, 57-70.
Villanova started out strong, with a deep three from Bascoe in the remaining seconds of its first possession.
The Wildcats then fell into a scoring drought, as Creighton went on a 7-0 run. The ‘Cats rallied with a 7-0 run of their own, ended by a Creighton layup.
Villanova finished the quarter up one point and with Webber as the leading scorer.
Creighton hit two back-to-back jumpers to start the second quarter. The Wildcats were able to pick up a couple of steals and get back within two points of the Bluejays, but struggled to remain close.
Things began to fall apart in the final two minutes of the half, as Creighton went up by six.
The Wildcats headed into the locker room down, 31-25.
Villanova went just 2-for-12 from beyond the arc and were 31.0% from field goal range in the first half. The Wildcats also scored nine points off the Bluejays’s seven turnovers. Bascoe led the way with 12 points at the half.
Creighton continued to go strong all through the third quarter, going up eight points with five minutes remaining in the quarter.
Bascoe kept the Wildcats alive, netting 24 points in just three quarters alone. They ended the third quarter down, 47-41.
Things continued to go Creighton’s way all through the fourth quarter, and the ‘Cats were unable to find their groove.
The Wildcats secured the No. 5 seed for the Big East tournament at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT.
After a bye in the first round, Villanova will face fourth-seeded Marquette (20-9, 12-6) in the quarterfinal round this Saturday. Tip-off is set for 2:30 p.m.
