On Thursday, Jan. 1, Villanova women’s basketball hosted Creighton and picked up a 74-64 win.
It was Villanova’s (12-2, 5-0 Big East) 10th consecutive win and first win over Creighton (6-8, 2-3 Big East) since the 2023 season.
Freshman guard Kennedy Henry scored a career-high 19 points along with six rebounds. Sophomore guard Jasmine Bascoe, who suffered a first-quarter leg injury against DePaul, did not end up missing time. Bascoe totaled 15 points, marking her 13th game of the season with double digits. Senior forward Denae Carter collected ten points and five rebounds.
The Wildcats were 30-for-59 (51%) from field goal range, 8-for-16 (50%) from the three-point line and 60% from the free throw line.
Villanova started slow in the game’s opening minutes. Multiple turnovers and missed baskets led to an early lead for Creighton. A three-pointer from senior guard Ryanne Allen and back-to-back steals from sophomore guard Dani Ceseretti and Henry got things going for the ‘Cats in the remaining two minutes of the first quarter. After completing an 8-0 scoring run, Villanova finished the quarter tied 13-13.
Allen continued to perform off the bench in the second period, sinking two more three-pointers. Redshirt sophomore guard Brynn McCurry added six points as well, allowing the Wildcats to extend their lead by 13 points.
Villanova ended the half with a 36-23 lead over Creighton. Allen led the way with 14 points heading into the locker room. She was 5-for-5 from field goal range and was a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc.
To start the third quarter, Creighton got hot from the three-point line, but Villanova went up by as much as 15 points. However, the Blue Jays managed to close the gap and get within eight points.
Villanova kept up its momentum through the final quarter to hold off Creighton.
Creighton was paced by freshman Neleigh Gessert, who tallied 25 points and three rebounds. Gessert was 7-for-10 (70%) from beyond the arc. The Blue Jays struggled from the foul line, making only 3-of-10 (30%) shots.
The Wildcats remain in second place in the Big East standings, sitting behind the University of Connecticut (14-0, 5-0, Big East). The defending national champions currently rank first in the nation on the AP Poll.
Villanova will now travel to Marquette (8-5, 2-2 Big East) on Jan. 4 (4 p.m., Peacock). Marquette leads the all-time series, 18-20, but Villanova was able to sweep the Golden Eagles last season.
