INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.—A sizzling start from the field carried Villanova (10-3, 5-3 BIG EAST) to a 90-53 win over Butler (1-12, 1-11 BIG EAST) at Hinkle Fieldhouse on Sunday afternoon. Sophomore forward
Maddy Siegrist scored a game-high 26 points and notched her eighth double-double of the season, while freshman
Lior Garzon added a season-best 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting for the Wildcats in the lopsided affair.
Villanova knocked down a season-high 14 three-pointers and shot 52 percent (33-of-63) from the field on the afternoon. The tone was set early, as the Wildcats raced out to a 30-11 lead by the end of the first quarter. That early advantage was fueled by 75 percent shooting (12-of-16) in the first 10 minutes, including five three-pointers. It marked the seventh time since collegiate women's basketball adopted the four-quarter format six years ago that Villanova has scored at least 30 points in a quarter.
The trio of Siegrist, senior
Brianna Herlihy and Garzon combined for 25 points on 10-of-12 shooting in the first period alone. Siegrist opened the scoring with a layup on the first possession of the game and Herlihy drilled a three-pointer off an offensive rebound with 56 seconds remaining in the period to give the Wildcats their largest lead of the quarter (28-8). Herlihy also hit a turnaround jumper as time expired to forge the 19-point margin at the end of the period. The 30 points scored and 19-point lead are both the highest for Villanova in any first quarter over the last six seasons.
Eight different players hit at least one three-pointer for the Wildcats, including Garzon who was 5-of-9 from behind the arc. It wasn't only the long distance shooting that propelled Villanova on the day, as the Wildcats ability to move without the ball and make cuts to the basket led to a number of easy baskets. Herlihy added seven assists to her stat line for the day (11 points, seven rebounds, seven assists) and senior guard
Raven James had six assists. Villanova was credited with an assist on 28 of its 33 made field goals.
It was off to the races for the Wildcats after the opening period, as the Bulldogs never got closer than 17 points after the first quarter. A layup by Siegrist in the final minute of the second period put Villanova ahead 43-23 and the margin swelled to as many as 44 points (88-44) in the closing minutes of the game.
A strong defensive effort complemented the Wildcats hot shooting. Villanova outscored Butler by a 17-3 margin in points off turnovers and had a 16-0 advantage in fast-break points. James had two of the team's seven steals, the Wildcats scored on 37 of their 66 possessions and made 14-of-18 layups for the game. Siegrist poured in at least 25 points for the sixth time this season and added to her BIG EAST lead with her eighth double-double of the year.
The final margin was a far cry from recent visits by Villanova to Hinkle Fieldhouse; the previous four road matchups against the Bulldogs had been decided by a total of seven points with each team claiming a pair of victories. Okako Adika and Jaia Alexander scored 14 points apiece for Butler in Sunday's contest.
Villanova returned from a 19-day pause with three games this week, going 2-1 against St. John's, Marquette and Butler. Next up for the Wildcats is a return to action at home when they face Providence this Wednesday at 4 p.m.
NOTES: Villanova tied a season-high with its 90-point outburst on Sunday, matching its total from a 90-72 win at Temple last month … The 37-point margin of victory is the Wildcats highest of the season … The four-quarter format began in women's college basketball with the 2015-16 season … Villanova's 30-point quarters have come on 1/8/16 vs. Marquette (30); 2/7/16 vs. Marquette (31); 1/20/17 vs. Butler (30); 2/6/19 vs. Georgetown (39); 3/1/20 vs. Providence (30); 12/4/20 vs. Temple (33) and in the first quarter of today's contest … Over the last three games the Wildcats have recorded an assist on 71 of their 89 made field goals … Villanova has been credited with an assist on 74 percent of its field goals this season.
