VILLANOVA, PA. – In women's basketball action on Tuesday evening at the Finneran Pavilion, the No. 25 Villanova Wildcats tallied an 83-42 win over the visiting American University Eagles. With the victory, Villanova improves to 8-2 overall, while American falls to 0-8 on the season.
Leading 14-7 midway through the first quarter, Villanova used an 11-2 run to grab a 25-9 advantage after one. Junior Maddie Burke started the spurt with a three from the corner and three foul shots after being fouled shooting a triple. The other five points included a 10-foot jumper by Maddy Siegrist, a lay-up by Anahi-Lee Cauley and a free throw by Zanai Jones.
Villanova shot 53.3 percent from the field in the second stanza and controlled play throughout the quarter. The Wildcats got a 15-foot jumper and two free throws by sophomore Lucy Olsen for the last four points of the half to give Villanova a 46-23 lead at intermission.
The Wildcats shot a sizzling 53.1 percent from the field (17-of-32) in the opening half and forced 11 American turnovers which Villanova converted into 12 points. American was 11-of-29 from the floor (37.9%) and 0-for-9 from long distance in the first 20 minutes.
Villanova started the third quarter by scoring the first nine points to open-up a commanding 55-23 lead. The Wildcats would lead by as many as 43 and the Eagles would not get within 30 the rest of the way.
In the win, Siegrist led the way with 24 points and seven rebounds, while sophomore Christina Dalce tied a career-high with 13 points. Burke finished with nine points, five rebounds and four assists.
American was paced by Emily Johns with 12 points.
In the win, Villanova was 31-of-59 from the field (52.5%), 7-of-21 from three-point range (33.3%) and 14-of-17 from the foul line (82.4%), while American shot 30.0 percent from the floor (15-of-50), 7.7 percent from long distance (1-of-13) and 78.6 percent from the charity stripe (11-of-14). Villanova owned a 38-26 advantage on the backboards.
The Wildcats return to action on Saturday, Dec. 10, when the Saint Joseph's Hawks visit the Finneran Pavilion for a Big 5 battle. Game time is set for 2 p.m.
NOTES: Villanova leads the all-time series with American by a 4-1 count…The Wildcats improve to 28-8 all-time versus Patriot League competition…Maddy Siegrist moved past Lisa Angelotti and into fourth place on Villanova's all-time rebounding list with 856 caroms…The Wildcats have won 12 of the last 13 games at the Finneran Pavilion…Villanova had 34 points in the paint in tonight's win.
