Nov. 8, 2000

VILLANOVA, PA.--- Hosting Sweden Eos-Malbas on Wednesday, Nov. 8, in historic Jake Nevin Field House, the Villanova University women's basketball team rode a hot-shooting first half to a 77-67 victory in its 2000-01 exhibition opener. Sophomore guard Trish Juhline scored 21 points to lead three Wildcats in double figures.

Villanova won the opening tip and took the lead right away on a three-pointer by Juhline. She would go on to score 12 of the Wildcats' first 21 points, as Villanova opened up a 21-10 lead just 5:59 into the game. The `Cats would extend their advantage to as many as 25 points, at 46-21 with 2:36 remaining, before Sweden closed the gap to 49-28 at intermission.

Villanova shot 60 percent from the field in the first half (18-for-30), including seven-of-11 (64 percent) from the three-point stripe. Juhline paced the Wildcats with 16 first half points, while senior center Brandi Barnes and sophomore forward Katie Davis scored in double figures as well with 11 and 10 points respectively.

Sweden began the second half strong, trimming Villanova's lead to 51-39 behind an 11-2 run in the first 3:46. Leading Eas-Malbas' run was Dajana Mihic, who scored seven points during the stretch. Sweden would continue its strong play and cut the Wildcats' advantage all to way to six points, 72-66, with 2:40 remaining in regulation. Redshirt freshman forward Kelly Nash scored five points down the stretch for the `Cats, including a three-pointer with 41 seconds left, to give Villanova the 77-67 victory.

Juhline finished the contest shooting seven-of-14 from the field and five-of-11 from three point range for a game-high 21 points. Barnes posted 14 points and Davis added 10 to help carry the offensive load. Winding down the Villanova scoring was Nash with nine, junior Mimi Riley with seven, sophomore Nicole Druckenmiller with six, freshman Courtney Mix with five, junior Stephanie Baker and freshman Brandi Harris each with two, and redshirt freshman Jeanine Johnson with one point. The Wildcats finished the contest shooting 27-of-60 from the field (45 percent), and 12-of-30 from three-point range (40 percent).

Scoring in double figures for Sweden in the loss was Maria Albertsson with 17 points, and Anette Mollerstrom and Mihic each with 16.

Villanova will resume play on Sunday, Nov. 12, hosting the New York Gazelles in Jake Nevin Field House at 3:00 p.m.