Villanova returns to action after a nine-day layoff on Saturday, Dec. 30, when they take on the Xavier Musketeers. The Wildcats enter play with a 7-5 overall record and a 0-1 BIG EAST mark, while Xavier is 1-9 on the year and 0-1 in league play. Tip-off at the Finneran Pavilion is set for 2 p.m.

Saturday's game versus Xavier will be the 21st all-time meeting between the two schools. Villanova leads the all-time series against the Musketeers by a 19-1 count. The first meeting came on March 21, 2006, when the Wildcats defeated the Musketeers by a score of 59-47 in the second round of the WNIT. The other 19 match-ups have taken place when the Wildcats and Musketeers became members of the Big East Conference. 

Villanova enters play on Saturday riding a 14-game winning streak over Xavier. The Musketeers last and only win against the Wildcats came on Dec. 31, 2015 (75-67 overtime win).

Entering play versus Xavier on Saturday afternoon, the Wildcats have won 28 of their last 31 home games. Villanova captured 11 straight home contests to finish the 2021-22 season and were 13-2 at home last year. The Wildcats are currently 4-1 at home this season. Under fourth-year head coach Denise Dillon, the Wildcats are 36-8 (.818) in games played at the Finneran Pavilion. 

Senior Bella Runyan was all over the court in Villanova's win at La Salle on Dec. 21. In 36 minutes of action, Runyan tallied 11 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and a block. In her last two games combined, Runyan has registered 27 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. She was also 11-of-20 from the field (55.0%) in the two games. Runyan is currently averaging 6.4 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per contest (second on team) and she leads the team in assists with 48 and is second in steals with 12.

Villanova currently ranks second in the country in turnovers per game at 9.8 per contest. Colorado State leads the nation at 8.7 turnovers per game. The Wildcats have had five single digit turnover games this year, including a season low three at Oregon State.

The Wildcats are led in scoring by junior guard Lucy Olsen who is averaging 23.4 points per game. In 12 games this year, Olsen has scored 20 or more points on nine occasions and she has had 30 or more three times. Her best effort of the year came against Temple when she tallied 40 points.

Following the Xavier contest, Villanova returns to action on Wednesday, Jan. 3, with a road game at Seton Hall.

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