Nov. 24, 2000

Box Score

Villanova, Pa. - Florida International's Gregana Slavcheva's miss as time expired from the top of the key allowed Villanova to walk away victorious in the opening round of the Florida International Thanksgiving Tournament on November 24 in Miami, Florida. The victory advances Villanova to the championship game on November 25th at 8 PM against either Youngstown State or Georgia State.

Villanova's 28-22 lead at halftime would not hold. With 2:24 remaining in the game, Slavcheva drilled a jumper to give FIU a late advantage, 47-46. Villanova's Nicole Druckenmiller responded with three of her game-high 14 points. Druckenmiller's three-pointer gave Villanova the lead for good, 49-47. With 1:20 remaining, Villanova point guard Mimi Riley drained two free throws to stretch the Wildcat advantage to 51-47. At the 57-second mark, FIU's Cormisha Cotton then made a lay-up to cut the Villanova lead to 51-49. With time winding down Druckenmiller fouled Slavcheva in the lane allowing the FIU star to go to the line with a chance to tie. Slavcheva made the first, but missed the second. Villanova's Stephanie Baker grabbed the rebound and was fouled. Baker went to the line to shoot a one and one with three seconds remaining. She hit the first shot, but missed the second allowing FIU to gain possession and call a timeout. Slavcheva then missed the shot as time expired.

Pacing the Wildcat offense was Riley. In playing a great all-around floor game, she recorded 10 points, six rebounds, six assists, and no turnovers in 37 minutes of play. Druckenmiller led all players in the game with 14 points. She shot five of ten from the field. Other Wildcats who got in the scoring mix included sophomores Trish Juhline and Katie Davis, with 8 points apiece. Davis was three for five on the evening. Down low, Stephanie Baker and Courtney Mix each played phenomenally. Baker tallied six points, four rebounds, and three assists, while Mix added two points and game-high eight rebounds. Brandi Barnes and Lauren Pellicane rounded out the scoring for Villanova with two points a piece. Cotton, who scored 13 points, led Florida International.

As a team, Villanova shot 40 percent from the field, while FIU shot 38 percent. Florida International out rebounded the Wildcats 37-28. With the victory Villanova improves its record to 2-1 overall. FIU drops to 1-1.