Women's Basketball Surges To 67-61 Win Over Villanova

PROVIDENCE, R.I.– The Providence College women's basketball team defeated Villanova, 67-61, on Jan. 6 at Alumni Hall in Providence, R.I. It marked the Friars' first victory over the Wildcats since Dec. 3, 2014, snapping a streak of seven-consecutive losses to 'Nova.  Providence improved to 9-7 overall (1-3 BIG EAST), while Villanova dropped to 10-4 on the year (2-2 BIG EAST).

Seniors Jovana Nogic (Belgrade, Serbia) and Maddie Jolin (Rehoboth, Mass.) were clicking on all cylinders and combined for 41 of the Friars' 67 points.  Nogic posted a game and season-high 23 points, including an 11-11 performance from the foul line.  Jolin also hit a season high on the day with 18 points.

For the second-straight game, Providence found itself tied with its opponent going into the final 10 minutes of action (44-44).  The Wildcats outscored the Friars 22-16 in the third quarter, capped by three-pointer from Kelly Jekot at the buzzer.

The Wildcats struck first in the fourth frame as Cameron Onken hit a triple at the 9:36 mark. Providence answered on its offensive end as freshman Kaela Webb (Pontiac, Mich.) converted a traditional three-point play at 8:01.  The two teams would trade three-pointers on each of their next offensive possession to produce a tie game, 50-50, with 6:07 on the clock.

Cameron Onken hit her second three-point basket of the quarter with 5:35 left in regulation to give Villanova a 53-50 lead. The Friars responded with a 6-0 run, including back-to-back lay-ups by freshman Mary Baskerville (Enfield, Conn.), to give Providence a 56-53 advantage with 3:31 to play.

The Wildcats tied the game, 56-56, on an Adrianna Hahn three-pointer at 3:09, but Providence took control with an 11-2 spurt to gain a nine-point lead with 11-seconds to play (67-58). Nogic was responsible for eight points in the run, with an 8-8 performance from the foul line.  Her 11 free throws marked a career high.

With the game out of reach, Villanova converted its 13^ththree-point bucket of the day with two seconds left to make the final 67-61.

Webb, who got her first collegiate start for the Friars, finished the day with seven points on 3-4 shooting.  Baskerville also completed the game with seven points and added six rebounds. Saddled with foul trouble early, Baskerville made a significant impact in the fourth quarter, as she recorded five points and three critical defensive rebounds.

Sophomore Olivia Orlando (Winthrop, Mass.) hauled in a game-high eight rebounds and dished a career-high six assists for Providence.

The Wildcats were led by Hahn's 19 points, while Jekot added 11 points.  Mary Gedaka finished the day with eight points and a team-high seven rebounds.

Villanova used a 9-0 run in the first quarter to take a 13-7 lead with 2:44 left on the clock and maintained a 13-9 advantage after 10 minutes of play.

Providence converted 57-percent (8-14) of its shot attempts in the second quarter and got 10 points from Jolin on 4-6 shooting from the field.  A 12-0 spurt gave the Friars a 28-20 lead with 2:23 remaining, but Villanova got a bucket from Gedaka with a minute left to make the score 28-22 at halftime.  Providence outscored the Wildcats, 19-9, in the second quarter overall.

Jolin finished the first half with 12 points, while Nogic chipped in eight points.  Orlando matched her career high with five assists in the first half.

The Friars return to action on Friday, Jan. 11 against St. John's.  The game will be played at Carnesecca Arena in Queens, N.Y. and is scheduled to tip-off at 11:00 a.m.  Providence will remain on the road to face Seton Hall on Sunday, Jan. 13 at 1:00 p.m. in South Orange, N.J.

- GO FRIARS! -

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Team Stats

Jovana Nogic

Maddie Jolin

Kaela Webb

Mary Baskerville

Players Mentioned

Mary Baskerville

Maddie Jolin

Jovana Nogic

Olivia Orlando

Kaela Webb