Villanova University

Nov. 30, 2003

Final Stats

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - On Saturday, Nov. 29th, at "The Pit" in Albuquerque, N.M., the Villanova women's basketball team won the Holiday Inn Mountain View Invitational tournament title by defeating the University of New Mexico, 70-57. The win was the Wildcats' fifth consecutive victory and improved their season record to 5-1. The Lobos fell to 3-1 on the season with Saturday night's loss.

New Mexico led 25-18 with 7:27 to go in the first half, when Villanova went on a 12-4 run to take its first lead, 30-29, at the 2:56 mark. The Wildcats would take a 38-32 advantage into intermission.

In the second half, the Lobos cut the lead to 41-36 with 18:21 remaining. Villanova would go on yet another 12-4 run to open up a 53-40 lead with 14:50 remaining in the contest. Sophomore forward Kate Dessart Mager had six of the Wildcats' 12 points during the run.

New Mexico would never get within 12 points the rest of the way, as Villanova went on for the 70-57 victory.

Dessart Mager led the way for the Wildcats with a career-high 18 points, and was named to the All-Tournament Team for her efforts. She shot eight-of-11 from the field for the game and tallied four rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Forward Liad Suez was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Suez had 16 points in the title game, shooting four-of-eight from three-point range, to go along with four rebounds and five assists.

Other top scorers for the `Cats were Jenna Viani with 11 points (4-of-6 FG, 2-2 3PT FG), Kelly Nash with nine points (3-of-4 from 3PT range).

Villanova set a new school record for best three-point percentage in a game shooting 13-of-20 in the contest for 65.0 percent. The Wildcats also had a season-low five turnovers in the game.

For New Mexico in the loss, Lindsey Arndt had 21 points and 11 boards to lead the way, while Jenny Shetters scored 12 points.

Villanova will get back into action on Thurs., Dec. 4th, hosting Penn at 7:30 p.m.