Providence College Athletics
Providence College
8-17, 3-11
Villanova
15-9, 6-7
Women's Basketball Gets Edged By Villanova, 54-51
2/18/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 18, 2006
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Providence College women's basketball team fell to Villanova, 54-51, in BIG EAST Conference action on Saturday, February 18 at Alumni Hall/Mullaney Gymnasium in Providence, R.I. Villanova rallied from an eight point halftime deficit and outscored the Friars 30-19 in the final 20 minutes to earn the win. Liad Suez-Karni poured in a game-high 34 points to lead the Wildcats. Fifth-year senior Gayle Nwafili (Maplewood, N.J.) paced the Friars with 17 points. PC freshman Shantee Darrian (Trenton, N.J.) matched a career-high with 16 rebounds.
The Friars shot an impressive 53.6-percent from the field in the first half (15-28), including two-of-six attempts from beyond the three-point arc (33.3-percent). Villanova made just nine-of-25 shots from the field in the opening 20 minutes (4-10 from three). Providence held a 32-24 halftime lead.
The second half was a much different story. Providence connected on just 25.9-percent of its shots (7-27), while Villanova connected on 10-of-27 attempts (37.0-percent), including a five-of-eight performance from three-point territory. The Wildcats their first lead of the second half (37-36) with 9:46 remaining in the game on a 13-4 scoring run. PC's last lead of the game (44-43) came at the 5:22 mark on two foul shots by junior Shauna Snyder (Albuquerque, N.M.). Villanova regained a one point lead (45-44) on a Suez-Karni lay-up at the 4:59 mark. PC would tie the game twice more down the stretch, but were unable to take the lead. The Wildcats finished the game with a 9-7 scoring edge, giving them a three-point victory (54-51).
Villanova's next highest scorer after Suez-Karni was a six-point effort from Stacie Witman. Snyder joined Nwafili in double figures for Providence with 14 points. Freshman Chelsea Marandola (Johnston, R.I.) added nine points.
Providence committed a season-low six turnovers in the game, and forced nine Villanova miscues. The Wildcats recorded a 36-31 advantage on the boards.
Providence College (8-17, 3-11 BIG EAST) returns to action Saturday, February 25 against BIG EAST foe DePaul. It marks the final home game of the season for the Friars. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at Alumni Hall/Mullaney Gymnasium in Providence, R.I. Prior to the tip, there will be a brief ceremony honoring the Friars' two seniors (Allie Gard and Gayle Nwafili).
