February 28, 1999

In the first round of the Big East Conference Women's Basketball Tournament in Piscataway, N.J., on Saturday, February 27, the Villanova University women's basketball team came back from a seven-point second half deficit to defeat Providence College 68-59. With the victory, the Wildcats advanced to the quarterfinals where they will meet the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame on Sunday, February 28, at 8:00 p.m. Villanova's record currently stands at 14-13 overall on the season.

Holding a 30-29 lead at the half, the Friars went on a 6-0 run to open the second half and take their largest lead, 36-29, with 18:09 remaining. The Wildcats took their first lead of the contest, 43-30, at the 13:10 mark on a four-point play by junior forward Jenea Skeeters. Villanova would increase its lead to 65-50 with 3:06 left in regulation and would never trail again as they went on for a 68-59 victory.

Skeeters scored a game high 23 points to lead the Wildcats and also pulled down a game-high nine rebounds. Scoring in double figures as well for Villanova was sophomore guard Lauren Pellicane who recorded 11 points and sophomore guard Mimi Riley who came off the bench to tally 10 points, five rebounds, three assists and one steal. Senior point guard Shanette Lee had four assists in the win to move into a first place tie with Lynn Tighe on the Villanova all-time assists list with 521. The victory was the fifth straight first round win for the Cats in the Big East Tournament.

For Providence in the loss, Meghan Hinds and Monika Roberts each posted 14 points and seven rebounds, while Jen Botz contributed 12 points and six assists.