Nov. 26, 2002

Final Stats

VILLANOVA, PA. - In the home opener for the Villanova women's basketball team on Tuesday, Nov. 26, at The Pavilion, the Wildcats got 21 points from senior forward Katie Davis and 16 points and seven assists from fellow senior Trish Juhline en route to a lop-sided 82-57 victory over Howard University. With the victory, Villanova is now 2-0 overall on the year and 18-7 in home openers under head coach Harry Perretta. The Lady Bison fall to 0-2 overall on the year with the loss.

Howard jumped out to a quick 7-0 advantage 2:22 into the contest as Asia Petty netted five points. The Wildcats charged back and took their first lead, 13-12, on a jumper from the top of the key by freshman Jenna Viani.

With Villanova holding a slim 26-22 lead with just over six minutes to go before intermission, the Wildcats finished the half on a 14-8 run to take a 40-30 advantage at the break. Juhline had six of the `Cats' 14 points down the stretch to send Villanova into the half with its first double-digit lead of the game.

The Wildcats shot 11-for-22 (50.0 percent) in the first half, including three-of-six from three-point range. Davis had 10 points for Villanova in the first half, while Petty led Howard with 17 points in the first 20 minutes of play. The Wildcats played stellar defense in the first half, forcing 15 turnovers and holding the Lady Bison to 33.3 percent shooting (13-of-39).

Villanova began the second half with a 12-2 run in the first 4:19 to take a 52-32 advantage. Davis had four points for the `Cats during the run.

The Wildcats remained in control opening up their largest lead of the contest at 71-45 with 7:10 to go in regulation. Villanova cruised from there going on for the 84-57 victory.

Davis led the way with her second-straight 20+ point performance. She finished with a team-high 21 points on seven-of-12 shooting from the field and four-of-seven shooting from three-point range. Juhline also scored in double figures for the `Cats with 16 points to go along with seven assists, four rebounds and four steals.

Wildcat junior point guard Courtney Mix filled up the stat sheet posting seven points, eight assists, five rebounds, and two steals in 26 minutes.

Winding down the scoring for Villanova were Nicole Druckenmiller with seven points, Kate Dessart-Mager and Jeanine Johnson with six points apiece, Jana Rediger and Sarita Hatcher with five points each, Jennifer Hilgenberg with four points, Jenna Viani with three points, and Kelly Nash with two points.

For Howard in the loss, Petty scored a game-high 28 points on nine-of-16 shooting. Forward Courtney Kirk also scored in double figures with 12 points.

Villanova shot 43.3 percent (29-of-67) from the field for the game, and nine-of-26 (34.6 percent) from three-point range.

The Wildcats will now head west, traveling to Boulder, Colorado, to take part in the University of Colorado Thanksgiving Tournament. Villanova will face Ohio State in the first round on Friday, Nov. 29, at 6:00 p.m.