In its home opener on Monday, Nov. 3, Villanova women’s basketball kicked off its 2025-26 season with a dominant 70-38 win over Lafayette.
The Wildcats (1-0) conveyed their depth in the 32-point win, with 10 different Wildcat scorers against the Leopards, including several freshmen. Freshman guard Kennedy Henry led the Wildcats with 13 points on the night.
It was the teams’ first meeting since 2013. Villanova collected their fifth consecutive win over Lafayette (0-1), dating back to 1978.
Villanova’s defense contained Lafayette, forcing it to shoot 25% (12-48) from the field and 40% (4-10) on three-pointers. The Wildcats scored 20 points off of 22 forced turnovers.
“That has to be our focus and the mentality,” Villanova coach Denise Dillon said. “Just we’ve got to be good on [defense], because you don’t know how your scoring is going to go. I felt our guards were definitely more aggressive in the rebounding area today, and I need to continue that.”
In total, Villanova shot 39.4% (28-71) and 36.4% (12-33) from beyond the arc.
The Villanova freshman showed a promising start to their collegiate career.
Henry joined the starting lineup and shot 4-7 on three-pointers. Henry, ranked No. 78 on ESPN’s top 100 recruits, also picked up two blocks and led Villanova in minutes.
Off the bench, freshman guard Brooke Bender made use of her time on the court, totaling 12 points and 5-7 from the field and 2-4 on three-pointers. She was one of four double-digit scorers and the only one off the bench.
“I think that’s definitely a key for us,” Dillon said when asked about the depth of the team. “The versatility that we offer and just understanding that the time you get out on the floor, you want to make the most of it. So, really pleased with the amount of time early in their careers that these freshmen are getting.”
Villanova’s bench accounted for 27 points.
In the first half, Villanova climbed out to a 22-5 lead as the first quarter came to an end. The Wildcats shot 50% (9-18) from the field in the first quarter and 44% (4-9) from beyond the arc with seven different scorers.
Villanova senior forward Denae Carter dropped in a layup for the first points of the contest. Carter shot 3-5, totaling six points and a team-high seven rebounds. Sophomore guard Jasmine Bascoe had a quiet 10 points and six rebounds.
Last season, Carter averaged a team-high 6.5 rebounds and totaled 228.
Villanova crashed the boards, collecting 13 offensive rebounds and 17 second-chance points.
The Wildcats entered the half with a 36-14 lead over Lafayette. Bender led the team with eight points off the bench, shooting 2-3 (66%) from beyond the arc.
Bascoe picked up eight points late in the game with the help of two three-pointers.
Junior Iowa State transfer Kelsey Joens tallied 11 points (three points shy of a career high) and four rebounds in the starting lineup.
Villanova was able to hold its double-digit lead without having to apply too much pressure on the offensive end, closing the game on a two-minute scoring drought.
The Leopards only had five scorers make up all 38 of their points.
Villanova now has a quick turnaround for its next game on Wednesday, Nov. 5, when it hosts Farfield (7:00 p.m., ESPN+).
“I think the big piece is just the buy-in of us learning from tonight,” Dillon said. “And how you have to turn it up a notch against a very talented and disciplined Fairfield team. So our transition [defense] will be key. You don’t have a lot of time to work on it tomorrow, so it’s going to be through conversation and just wrapping some things out.
The Wildcats are undefeated against the Stags, holding a 12-0 advantage in the all-time series. Villanova defeated Fairfield, 73-44, in the last meeting on Dec. 6, 2017.
