February 2, 1999
Villanova, Pa.--- Hosting Seton Hall University on Tuesday, Feb. 2, at the Pavilion on the campus of Villanova University, the Villanova women's basketball team hit 10 three-pointers to propel them to a 68-53 victory over the visiting Pirates. With the victory, the Wildcats reached the .500 mark on the season at 10-10 overall and 6-6 in Big East Conference play.
The Villanova attack began quickly, as senior forward Jenn Sliwa hit two three-point field goals to give the Wildcats an early 11-4 lead 4:02 into regulation. Seton Hall (5-16, 2-11) would close the gap to 15-13, however, at the 11:30 mark, sparked by seven points from forward Starr Fuller. With the score standing at 23-17, the Wildcats used a 10-3 in the remaining 4:07 of the half, to take a 33-20 lead into intermission.
Villanova shot just under 44 percent in the first half on 10-of-23 shooting, but were red hot from the three-point arc as they combined to hit 50 percent of their shots from beyond the stripe at five-for-10. The Wildcats were led by Sliwa's 10 points and three-for-three shooting from three point range. Fuller recorded seven points in the first half for Seton Hall.
Down by 11 points, 39-28, at the 15:58 mark of the second half, the Pirates rallied to cut the Villanova lead to 39-38 by scoring 10 consecutive points in a 2:46 span. The Wildcats went on a run of their own, however, outscoring Seton Hall 26-11 in the next 11:53 to open up their largest lead at 65-49 and close the books on the Pirates.
The Wildcats finished the game hitting double figures in three-pointers, on 10-for-26 shooting, for only the second time this season. Sliwa led Villanova with a game-high 18 points, as she went on to hit five-of-12 from three-point range. Freshman forward Stephanie Baker came off the bench to record career-highs with 11 points and eight rebounds in 22 minutes of work. Guard Lauren Pellicane posted nine points, six assists and four rebounds in the win, while forward Jenea Skeeters scored nine points as well.
For Seton Hall in the loss, Fuller scored 18 points and pulled down eight rebounds. Scoring in double figures as well for the Pirates, was Rouse who posted 14 points on six-of-11 shooting.
Villanova will resume play on Saturday, Feb. 6, traveling to St. John's to face the Red storm at 2:00 p.m.
