Villanova University

Nov. 21, 2000

Box Score

FAIRFIELD, CONN.-- On Tuesday, Nov. 21, in Fairfield, Conn., the Villanova University women's basketball team posted its first win of the 2000-01 season, holding off a late Fairfield University run to defeat the Stags 71-60. The Wildcats improve to 1-1 overall on the season with Tuesday's win, as they sent Fairfield (2-1) to its first loss of the year.

The Villanova defense stifled the Stags in the first half, holding them to eight-of-27 shooting (29.6 percent) from the field. On the offensive end, the Wildcats hit five-of-12 three-point attempts (41.7 percent) and shot 41.9 percent (13-of-31) overall from the floor, to take a commanding 38-18 lead into intermission.

With 7:51 left in the game and Villanova leading 56-38, Fairfield went on a 20-6 run to trim the Wildcats' advantage to 62-58 with 2:42 remaining on the clock. Attempting to turn the tides back in favor of the `Cats, junior guard Mimi Riley got fouled going to the basket and hit both free throws to increase the Villanova lead to 64-58.

Following a Wildcat turnover, freshman forward Courtney Mix made a key steal by stepping in the passing lane, and went in for a breakaway lay-up to up the lead to 66-58 with 59 seconds to go in the contest. Riley went on to score five of Villanova's nine points down the stretch, as the Wildcats registered a 71-60 victory.

Riley paced Villanova with a career-high 22 points, as she shot six-of-nine from the field, two-of-five from the three-point stripe, and eight-of-11 from the foul line. She also added three rebounds, four assists and two steals for the Wildcats. Scoring in double figures as well for Villanova was sophomore guard Trish Juhline with 11 points (3-of-7 from three-point range), and senior center Brandi Barnes with 10 points to go along with a team-high eight rebounds.

Posting an outstanding all-around performance for Villanova was Mix, who ended the game with seven points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals in 19 minutes off the bench. Winding out the Wildcat scoring was Lauren Pellicane with eight points, Katie Davis with seven points and eight boards, and Nicole Druckenmiller with six points. Coming back to her hometown of Fairfield and tallying two rebounds in her first career start was redshirt freshman Kelly Nash.

Villanova shot 37 percent from the field for the game, but hit 10 three-pointers for the second consecutive contest.

Leading the way for the Stags was guard Megan Light, who finished the game with 17 points. Fairfield shot one-for-12 from three-point range for the game.

The Wildcats travel to Florida International, where they will play FIU on Friday, Nov. 24, at 6:00 p.m.