Dec. 30, 2002
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VILLANOVA, PA. - In the championship game of the Wildcat Christmas Classic on Monday, Dec. 30, at The Pavilion, the Villanova women's basketball team shot 53 percent from the field (35-of-66) and hit 10-of-18 from three-point range in an 88-42 bashing of the Fairfield Stags. Villanova, which had four players score in double figures in the contest led by senior forward Katie Davis' 19 points, is now 9-1 overall on the season. The Stags fall to 2-8 on the year with Monday's loss.
With the Wildcats leading 20-13 with just over 11 minutes remaining in the first half, Villanova reeled off 17 consecutive points in a span of 5:22 to increase its advantage to 37-13. During that span, Davis led the `Cats with seven points while senior guard Trish Juhline netted five.
Villanova coasted into the half with a 44-23 lead, helped in large part by 52.9 percent shooting (18-of-34) from the floor and 19 points from Davis. She shot seven-of-nine in the first half from the field, including five-of-six from three-point range. Juhline added 11 points, five assists and four boards in the first half for the `Cats, who connected on six-of-11 from long distance in the first 20 minutes of play. Forward Cathy Dash led Fairfield with 13 points in the first half.
Villanova did not miss a beat in the second half, out-scoring the Stags 16-4 in the first 7:19 to extend its lead to 60-27. The Wildcats continued their dominance throughout the remainder of the contest as they coasted to an 88-42 win.
Villanova shot 53.0 percent (35-of-66) from the field for the game, 10-of-18 (55.6 percent) from three-point range, and eight-of-11 (72.7 percent) from the foul line. The Wildcats had 30 assists on 35 total field goals in the game, and went on to out-rebound Fairfield by a 45-33 margin.
Davis led the Villanova offensive attack with 19 points - all 19 of which came in the first half. Juhline finished the game with 14 points, eight assists, and four rebounds.
Sophomore center Jana Rediger and freshman forward Jenna Viani each tallied career-high scoring efforts. Rediger had 12 points and nine rebounds in the game, while Viani had 11 points shooting four-of-five from the field and three-of-three from three-point range.
Winding down the scoring for the `Cats were Courtney Mix (six assists) and Kelly Nash (eight rebounds) with nine points apiece, Kate Dessart Mager with six points, and Nicole Druckenmiller, Jeanine Johnson, Jennifer Hilgenberg and Courtnet Roantree with two points each.
For Fairfield in the loss, Dash scored 13 points and guard Janelle McManus posted 11 points. Davis scored 42 points (16-of-26 FG, 10-of-18 3PT FG) in the tournament's two games and for her efforts was named the Wildcat Christmas Classic's Most Valuable Player. Juhline, who averaged 17.0 points and 7.0 assists per game in the Wildcat Classic, was voted to the All-Tournament team.
Rounding out the All-Tournament Team were Janelle McManus and Thais Celiberto of Fairfield, Tanara Golston of Brown, and Geneva Livingston of New Hampshire.
In Monday's consolation game, Brown defeated New Hampshire by the score of 72-64. Golston had 22 points, six assists and five steals for the Bears in the win.
Villanova will now get back into action on Saturday, Jan. 4, hosting St. John's at 2:00 p.m. That day also marks the annual Alumnae Game which will begin at noon.
