On Sunday, Nov. 9, Villanova women’s basketball (2-1) traveled to Toronto, Canada, to face Virginia Commonwealth University (1-1), and won, 74-40.
It was Villanova’s third game of non-conference competition. After a slow start in the first quarter, the Wildcats picked up momentum, shooting 12-15 (80%) from the field and 3-5 (60%) from beyond the arc in the second quarter, closing it out on a 7-0 run.
In total, Villanova shot 46.9% from the field and 44.0% from beyond the arc and won the rebound battle, 39-32.
Fans showed out in support of the two native Canadians on the team, sophomore guard Jasmine Bascoe and freshman guard MD Ntambue. Bascoe attended high school nearby at Kings Christian Collegiate, where the team practiced on Saturday. Ntambue is from Montreal, Québec.
The Wildcats managed to successfully come back from a loss to Fairfield at home last week and dominated the Rams. Bascoe led the way in scoring once again with 17 points. Right behind her was freshman guard Brooke Bender, who came off the bench with 16 points. Senior forward Denae Carter followed up behind with 12 points and six rebounds, putting three players in double figures. Freshman guard Kennedy Henry also grabbed six rebounds along with six points.
The first quarter was a close between Villanova and VCU. The teams went back and forth throughout the opening minutes as the Wildcats’ shots would not fall. Villanova managed to shoot a mere 4-17 (24%) from the field in the first quarter.
Bender and junior guard Kelsey Joens managed to drop in a three-pointer each, giving Villanova a narrow 11-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.
In the back half of quarter two, Villanova began to pull away. Bascoe, Carter and Watson scored 18 of Villanova’s 27 second-quarter points. Bender and Henry also contributed with three-pointers. Villanova headed into halftime up, 37-23.
The momentum continued through all of the second half. Villanova led by as many as 35 points in the final few minutes of the fourth quarter.
VCU was paced by senior Mary-Anna Asare, also a Canadian, with 13 points.
The Wildcats will return on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at home, where they will host Princeton University. The Tigers (1-0) were ranked No. 1 in the Ivy League Preseason Poll. Last season, Princeton hosted Villanova, defeating it, 70-61. Villanova leads the all-time series, 13-9.
