Villanova rebounds in Big East opener against St. John’s after disappointing end to non-conference play | Villanova vs. St. John’s Recap
Written by David Szczepanski on December 22, 2024
VILLANOVA, PA—Villanova ended its non-conference schedule with losses in three of its last four games. The Wildcats blew a 10-point lead in the second half against James Madison on Sunday. However, Villanova responded with a strong performance to end 2024 against St. John’s, who entered the game with just one loss in non-conference play.
Villanova defeated St. John’s, 71-57, on Saturday afternoon at the Finneran Pavilion. Jasmine Bascoe was 10-for-12 from the field for 24 points with six rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Maddie Burke, Maddie Webber, and Denae Carter all scored 12 points against the Red Storm. Carter returned to the lineup on Saturday after missing last Sunday’s contest against James Madison with an injury.
Villanova defeated St. John’s in its Big East Opener on Saturday afternoon at the Finneran Pavilion.
The Wildcats finished the game by converting 53% of their field goal attempts. Villanova was six-for-12 from behind the arc. Villanova shot 84.6% from the field in the first quarter. The Wildcats knocked down three of their five three-point attempts in the first twenty minutes.
Villanova outscored St. John’s, 42-26, in the first half. The Wildcats only scored 29 points in the second half, including just 10 points in the fourth quarter. However, Villanova built a large lead in the first half and its defense held on to get past the finish line.
The Wildcats’ defense held St. John’s to 26 points in the first half. The Red Storm averaged about 66 points per contest in their first 11 games. Lashae Dwyer, a senior from Toronto, ON, led the Red Storm with 12 points and four assists. Skye Owen was four-for-10 from the field for 10 points.
Ariana Vanderhoop, a senior transfer from Monmouth, scored 11 points in 37 minutes. Vanderhoop and Phoenix Gedeon played more often for St. John’s on Saturday after Kylie Lavelle logged 13 minutes.
St. John’s converted 33.3% of its field-goal attempts. The Red Storm were five-for-17 (29%) from behind the arc. They were one-for-six from three in the final twenty minutes.
Key Takeaways:
Positives:
Villanova’s 41 Rebounds
Villanova dominated the rebounding battle, 41-25, even without Lara Edmanson. Edmanson, a Santa Clara transfer, did not play much in the second half against JMU and did not play on Saturday.
Five Wildcats finished the game with at least five rebounds. Denae Carter accumulated seven rebounds in her return to the starting lineup. The Wildcats lack size, especially without Edmanson, but their guards always crash the boards looking for rebounds.
Bascoe, Burke, and Webber (all guards) combined for 18 rebounds.
Jasmine Bascoe’s 24 Points
Jasmine Bascoe scored more than 20 points for the second time this season. Bascoe scored 23 points in her last two games, which was below her average of around 15 points per contest. Bascoe, a freshman from Milton, ON, converted 83% of her field goals and played one of her best games of the season in her Big East debut against the Red Storm.
Concerns:
Too Many Turnovers
Villanova committed 18 turnovers against St. John’s. Denae Carter had seven turnovers in 26 minutes. Bascoe also allowed four turnovers. As Big East play continues, the Wildcats must clean up the turnovers.
More Fourth Quarter Struggles
Once again, the Wildcats struggled in the second half. Like in the contest against JMU, Villanova could not score in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats scored just 10 points in the final ten minutes. Villanova luckily built an enormous lead at halftime to hold on late. The Wildcats must find a way to score in late-game situations.
The Road Ahead
Villanova improved to 7-6 with its blowout win over St. John’s. The Wildcats are undefeated (1-0) in conference play. Villanova’s next conference battle will be on January 1st against Seton Hall at 8:30 pm at the Finn.
