March 16, 2002

Box Score?|? Quotes?|? Notes

NORMAN, Okla. - On Saturday night in the opening round of the West Regional, Mimi Riley scored 18 points to lead No. 9 seed Villanova to a 67-46 victory over 8th seeded Pepperdine. With the win, the Wildcats advance to the second round to face No. 1 seed Oklahoma.

With the score tied at 14-14 with 7:14 to go in the first half, Villanova went on a 12-2 run to take a 26-16 lead at intermission. Riley scored seven points for the Wildcats during the run.

Villanova led by six points, 31-25, 5:13 into the second half, but the `Cats outscored the Waves 15-4 in the next 5:21 to take a 46-29 lead with 9:26 to go in the game. Junior forward Katie Davis had five points for Villanova during that time.

Pepperdine would not get closer than 13 points the rest of the way, as the Wildcats cruised to a 67-46 victory. Villanova improved to 20-10 with the win - the 11th 20-win season for head coach Harry Perretta

Katie Davis scored 16 points (5-of-10 FG, 4-5 3-PT FG) and grabbed six rebounds and Stephanie Baker had 10 points and five boards for Villanova, which overcame its 39-percent shooting (21-of-54) by outrebounding the Waves 41-30. Sophomore forward Courtney Mix had an outstanding all-around game for the `Cats with seven points, 10 rebounds, and four assists.

Damaris Hinojosa scored 16 points and Nadja Morgan had 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Waves (23-8), who were held to a season-low point total. They came in averaging over 74 points per game.

Pepperdine shot 37 percent and grabbed just four offensive rebounds.

Villanova will face No. 1 seed Oklahoma in the second round on Monday, March 18, at 9:30 p.m. eastern time. The game can be heard live on WZZD 990 AM.