PORTLAND, ORE. – The Villanova Wildcats traveled to the Pacific Northwest on Friday evening for the 2023-24 season opener, where they tallied a 64-42 win over the host Portland Pilots. Portland falls to 1-1 with the setback.
 
Villanova started the game in fine fashion, racing to a 13-0 lead. Junior guard Lucy Olsen led the early charge scoring six of the team's first 13 points. After Portland scored six straight to cut the Wildcat advantage to 13-6, Villanova tallied the last five points of the quarter to lead 18-6 after one.
 
The Wildcat defense was outstanding in the first quarter, forcing the Pilots into nine early turnovers. Villanova was 5-of-14 from the field, 2-of-5 from three and 6-of-9 from the foul line in the first stanza, while Portland was 3-of-10 and 0-for-1. The Pilots did not attempt a first quarter free throw.
 
Leading 20-10 early in the second quarter, the Wildcats took control of the game with a 9-0 run to open-up a 29-10 lead. Senior Bella Runyan started the run with back-to-back lay-ups, before junior center Christina Dalce scored on a short jumper and senior guard Maddie Burke drained a three from the left wing.

Villanova used the decisive spurt to lead 33-14 at halftime. The Wildcats held the Pilots without a three-point field goal or a free throw in the first half.

The Wildcats led 41-23 with 5:54 on the clock, when Villanova out scored the Pilots by a 12-5 margin the rest of the period to lead 53-28 at the end of the third quarter.

Portland would not get within 19 in the fourth quarter and Villanova cruised to the win.

In the victory, Olsen led the way with 20 points and five assists. Two other Wildcats tallied double figures in points, including Burke with 12 points and Runyan with 10 points. Dalce chipped in with nine points and 10 rebounds.

Portland was paced by Lucy Cochrane with 11 points.

For the game, Villanova was 26-of-52 from the field (41.9%), 4-of-18 from three-point range (22.2%) and 8-of-12 from the foul line (66.7%), while Portland shot 33.3 percent from the floor (18-of-54), 12.5 percent from behind the arc (1-of-8) and 62.5 percent from the charity stripe (5-of-8).  Portland owned a slight 37-35 advantage on the backboards. Villanova committed just nine turnovers, while Portland was charged with 20 miscues.

Villanova travels to Corvallis on Sunday to take on Oregon State. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m., eastern time.

NOTES: Villanova improves to 34-21 all-time in season openers…Denise Dillon is 3-1 in season openers as the Villanova head coach…Tonight was the first-ever meeting between Villanova and Portland…Lucy Olsen now has six career 20-point games…The Wildcats improve to 6-2 all-time versus West Coast Conference opponents…Villanova scored 26 points off of Portland turnovers.