Bascoe and Webber Propel Villanova to Victory Against DePaul

VILLANOVA, Pa. – In a weekday afternoon contest at the Finneran Pavilion, the Villanova Wildcats achieved a 66-55 victory over the visiting DePaul Blue Demons. With this triumph, the Wildcats enhance their record to 9-9 overall and 3-3 in BIG EAST competition, whereas DePaul slips to 9-10 this season and 4-2 in league play.

Villanova started off strong and quickly gained a 10-5 advantage. Grad student guard Maddie Burke spearheaded the initial onslaught with five points, which included a turnaround jumper and three successful free throws.

The Wildcats effectively utilized the foul line in the first quarter, finishing 8-of-11 from the charity stripe. Freshman Jasmine Bascoe topped Villanova’s scoring in the opening frame with six points.

The Wildcats showcased impressive defense during the initial quarter, limiting the Blue Demons to just 5-of-17 shooting and an 0-for-2 performance from beyond the arc.

With 3:05 remaining in the second quarter, the Wildcats held a 28-22 lead, when Villanova recorded six consecutive points, establishing its largest lead of the half at 34-22. Bascoe led this scoring spree, contributing five of the six points.

DePaul subsequently concluded the half with the last five points, aided by a three-pointer and a driving lay-up from Shakara McCline. The baskets from McCline brought the teams to the break with Villanova ahead 34-27.

Wildcat sophomore guard Maddie Webber performed brilliantly in the first half, amassing 14 points, while Bascoe contributed 12 points. McCline was the leading scorer for the Blue Demons with 14 points in the first half.

Falling behind 38-28 early in the third quarter, DePaul responded with a 13-2 rally, which allowed them to take a 43-41 lead at the 1:52 mark. Kate Clarke and Jorie Allen were pivotal for the Blue Demons during this run, each contributing five points. The Wildcats countered this DePaul run with a run of their own, scoring the last seven points of the period to hold a 48-43 advantage after three quarters. Bascoe netted a jumper and three free throws, while Bronagh Power-Cassidy added a lay-up to complete the scoring surge.

Villanova seized control at the start of the fourth quarter, connecting on three consecutive three-point shots to extend their lead to 57-43. The triples came from Power-Cassidy, Ryanne Allen, and Kaitlyn Orihel.

After two free throws from Allen of DePaul halted their scoring drought, Villanova responded with a corner three-pointer from Orihel and then a 10-foot jumper by Webber, extending their lead to 62-45 at the 7:06 mark.

In the victory, Webber and Bascoe topped the Wildcats’ scoring with 18 points each, while Webber also led the team with six rebounds.

DePaul was led by Allen with 20 points, and McCline who compiled 14 points along with seven rebounds.

Throughout the game, Villanova finished 22-of-50 from the field (44.0%), 7-of-22 from three-point territory (31.8%), and 15-of-23 from the free-throw line (65.2%), while DePaul shot 31.7 percent from the floor (20-of-63), 18.8 percent from long range (3-of-16), and 80.0 percent from the line (12-of-15). DePaul held a 41-36 edge on the boards.

Villanova will be back in action on Saturday, Jan. 18, with an away game at St. John’s. The tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.