This Wednesday, Nov. 12, Villanova women’s basketball (2-1) will face Princeton University (1-0) at the Finneran Pavilion for its third home matchup of the season.
Both teams are coming off wins and will be looking to continue their early-season momentum. On Sunday, Nov. 9, the Wildcats dominated Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) with a final score of 74-40. Meanwhile, the Tigers managed to defeat Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) opponent Georgia Tech, 67-61. It was Princeton’s first game of the regular season.
In the win over Georgia Tech, Princeton forced 26 turnovers and scored 27 points off those turnovers. They also showed the depth of this year’s roster, with four players scoring in double figures.
Princeton has been a talented mid-major team within the NCAA for several years now. Last season, they made it to their sixth straight NCAA Tournament, where they lost to Iowa State in a close battle, 68-63.
The Tigers return four starters, including junior guard Ashley Chea (First-Team All-Ivy), junior guard Skye Belker (Second-Team All-Ivy), junior guard/forward Fadima Tall (Second-Team All-Ivy) and junior guard/forward Olivia Hutcherson.
Also returning is senior guard Madison St. Rose, who was recently named to the 2026 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award Watchlist. St. Rose was also named to the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award’s preseason watch list.
St. Rose missed most of the 2024-25 season after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee last November. She also led the team in scoring before her injury, averaging 17.0 points in the four games she played in last season. She was Second-Team All-Ivy in the 2023-24 season and named Ivy Rookie of the Year in 2022-23.
In her return for the Tigers, St. Rose netted 13 points against Georgia Tech.
Princeton head coach Carla Berube was named to the 2026 Kathy Delaney-Smith Mid Major Coach of the Year Award Watch List. In the five years under Berube, the Tigers have won four Ivy League championships and posted a 65-5 record against Ivy opponents in the regular season.
For this season, Princeton was voted No.1 in the Ivy League preseason poll.
Villanova last faced Princeton in the 2024-25 season, in which it was defeated, 70-61. However, Villanova currently leads the all-time series, 13-9.
The Wildcats return to the Main Line from Toronto, with a big win over VCU. In the win, Villanova shot 46.9% from the field and 44.0% from beyond the arc and won the rebound battle, 39-32.
Sophomore guard Jasmine Bascoe led the way in scoring with 17 points. Behind her was freshman guard Brooke Bender, who came off the bench with 16 points. Senior forward Denae Carter netted 12 points to put three Wildcats in double figures.
The ‘Cats will be seeking revenge after last year’s loss to the Tigers and looking to improve their record to 3-1.
Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Finneran Pavilion (ESPN+).
