Wildcats Advance to Danka Classic Title Game With Win Over Cal State Northridge

Senior Jenea Skeeters became only the 14th player in Villanova history to surpass the 1,000 point mark

Forward Jenea Skeeters' 21 points leads `Nova to the Danka Classic title game

Nov. 26, 1999

In the opening game of the 1999 Nevada Danka Classic in Reno, Nevada, on Friday, Nov. 26, the Villanova University women�s basketball team defeated Cal State Northridge, 72-52, to advance to Saturday�s championship game where they will play the winner of Nevada-Reno and UTEP. With Friday�s victory, the Wildcats improve to 2-1 overall on the season, while the Matadors of Cal State Northridge fall to 1-1.

It was the tale of two halves on Friday evening in Reno, as Cal State Northridge shot 52 percent (14-of-27) in the first half to close within two points of Villanova, at 34-32, by the time intermission rolled around.

Holding a slim 39-38 advantage at the 12:48 mark of the second half, the Wildcats went on an 11-1 run to take a 50-39 lead with 7:27 left in regulation. Sparking the Villanova run was senior forward Jenea Skeeters and freshman Katie Davis who each tallied five points in the spurt. From there, the `Cats finished the Matidors off outscoring them 38-20 in the second half, en route to a 20-point win.

The Villanova defense stepped up its efforts in the second half, holding Cal State Northridge to 24 percent shooting from the field (seven-of-29). The Wildcats shot 41 percent for the game and an outstanding 20-of-21 from the free throw line.

Leading the Villanova cause was Skeeters, who shot nine-of-12 to finish with a game-high 21 points. She posted three assists and three steals in the game as well. Skeeters also surpassed a milestone on the day, becoming only the 14th player in school history to reach the 1,000 point mark.

Davis followed Skeeter�s performance with an 18-point effort of her own. She shot 12-for-13 from the foul line in the contest and added seven rebounds in 22 minutes off the bench. Scoring in double figures as well for the Wildcats were freshman Trish Juhline with 12 points, to go with four assists, and junior guard Lauren Pellicane who had 10 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals. Junior center Brandi Barnes was a key contributor as well with five points and a team-high eight rebounds, while sophomore forward Stephanie Baker registered six points.

For Cal State Northridge in the loss, Ednieshia Curry and Neda Milic each scored 15 points.

Saturday�s Championship game between Villanova and the winner of Nevada-Reno/UTEP will begin at 7:00 p.m. PST.