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Villanova University (17-6 Overall, 8-4 Big East)

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University of Pittsburgh (9-14 Overall, 3-9 Big East)

February 14, 2001 * 7:00 P.M.

Fitzgerald Field House

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Series History:

Overall Series Record: VU Leads 28-14

Last VU Win: 1/27/99, 61-45

Last UP Win: 2/23/00, 66-64

Streak: VU has won 8 of last 9

Media Information:

Interview Requests- All Interview requests should be directed toward Dean Kenefick, Director of Media Relations at (610) 519-4120.

Internet Site- Villanova's recently re-designed web-page can be found at www.villanova.com.

Hotline- Get up-to-date scores on all your favorite Wildcat sports on the official hotline: (888) 400-NOVA

Game Notes:

WILDCATS GAIN RANKING: For the first time this season, the Villanova women's basketball has cracked the ESPN/USA Today top 25. In the poll released on Monday, Feb. 12, Villanova is No. 25 with 61 points. Virginia is No. 24 with 64 points. Earlier this season on Monday, Jan. 22, the Wildcats earned a national ranking for the first time since the 1986-87 season when they were No. 24 in the Associated Press poll. Villanova stayed at No. 24 for two weeks before falling out on Monday, Feb. 5. In this week's AP poll, the Wildcats are third in teams receiving votes with 41 points. Iowa is No. 25 in this week's AP poll with 54 points.

THREE-BALL SUCCESS: Villanova was outstanding from three-point range in Saturday's 75-51 victory over Syracuse. In the win, Villanova was an impressive 12-of-22 from three-point land for 54.5 percent. This was the eighth time this year that the Wildcats have made 10 or more triples in a game. Lauren Pellicane led the three-point barrage with four, while Katie Davis and Nicole Druckenmiller had three trifectas each.

STRONG WEEK: Senior center Brandi Barnes played extremely well in Villanova's two wins last week. In the team's 63-47 win at Georgetown last Wednesday, Barnes tallied 19 points on 8-of-14 shooting to go with nine rebounds, two blocks and an assist. Last Saturday versus Syracuse, she recorded 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting in addition to four rebounds, two blocks and a steal. In 23 games this year, Barnes has scored double figures in 18 of the contests, includingd five games of 20 points or more. Entering the Pittsburgh game on Wednesday, Feb. 14, Barnes leads the team in scoring (14.0 ppg.), field goal percentage (132-for-258 for 51.2 percent) and blocked shots with 30. She is also second on the team in rebounding with a 6.1 rpg. average. In the latest Big East statistics, Barnes is 10th in scoring, fifth in field goal percentage, sixth in blocked shots and 19th in rebounding.

PELLICANE POWER: Villanova got a big lift off the bench in last Saturday's win over Syracuse from senior guard Lauren Pellicane who tallied a season-high 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting with all six attempts coming from three-point range. Pellicane also dished out a season-best four assists in 22 minutes of action. On the season, Pellicane has played in all 23 games and is averaging 3.9 ppg., and 1.1 apg., in 16.6 minutes per contest. From three-point range this season, she is 17-of-48 for 35.4 percent. For her career from behind the arc, she is 118-for-346 (34.1 percent). As a sophomore in 1998-99, Pellicane made 69 three-point field goals.

RILEY RECORDS CAREER-HIGH: Junior point guard Mimi Riley was terrific in Villanova's 75-51 win over Syracuse last Saturday night. In 31 minutes, Riley registered a career-high 10 assists to go with eight points on 3-of-5 shooting, seven rebounds, one block and one steal. For the season, she is averaging 8.3 ppg., 4.4 rpg., and a team-high 5.1 apg. Her assist to turnover ratio of 2.9:1 currently leads the Big East Conference.

FANTASTIC FRESHMAN: Freshman forward Courtney Mix has been an integral member of the 2000-2001 Wildcat squad all year long. The versatile Mix has seen time this year at both guard spots and both forward positions. After 23 games, Mix is averaging 7.2 ppg., a team-high 6.4 rpg., a team-best 1.6 spg., and 2.3 apg., in 25.6 minutes per contest. From a scoring standpoint, Mix has reached double figures in six games this season. In the last five games (144 total minutes), Mix has committed just two turnovers. In her last outing versus Syracuse, she recorded seven points, a team-high nine rebounds, two assists and a steal.

SCORING STREAK: Sophomore Katie Davis has been on a scoring streak as of late for the Wildcats. In the last five games, Davis has reached double figures in four of them. In the five-game strectch, she is 22-of-40 (55 percent) from the field and has scored 63 points for a 12.6 points per game average. In the 11 games that she has scored double figures, Villanova is 9-2. For the year, Davis is averaging 9.7 ppg., 3.7 rpg., 2.6 apg., and 1.3 spg., (second on team). In just Big East games, she is averaging 10.8 ppg.

LOOKING FOR ONE ANOTHER: In Villanova's two wins last week, the Wildcats recorded an assist on 43 of their 50 baskets. Against Georgetown, Villanova had an assist on 19 of 23 field goals, while versus Syracuse, the `Cats were credited with an assist on 24 of 27 field goals. For the season, Villanova has had an assist on 417 of its 528 field goals for 78.9 percent. By comparison, Villanova's opponents have had an assist on 280 of 512 field goals 54.6 percent.

DIAL LONG DISTANCE : Villanova continues to use the three-point shot to its advantage. After 23 games, the Wildcats are 173-of-501 (34.5 percent) from three-point land, while their opponents are just 53-of-222 for 23.9 percent. When you look at it in points, Villanova has outscored its opposition by 360 points at 519-159 from behind the arc. The Wildcats are currently averaging 21.7 three-point field goal attempts per game, while they are making an average of 7.5 triples per contest which ranks tied for fifth in the latest NCAA statistics. There have been eight games this year where Villanova has made 10 or more three-point field goals in a game.

107 STRAIGHT: Entering the Pittsburgh game on Wednesday, Feb. 14, Villanova has made at least one three-point field goal in 107-straight games. The last time the `Cats failed to connect on a triple in a game came at Boston College on Jan 25, 1997. Twice during this 107 game span, Villanova has tied the NCAA record for three-point field goals made in a game with 18 (vs. Penn 12/20/97 and earlier this year versus WVU on 1/3/00).

WILDCATS CLINCH WINNING SEASON: With the 63-52 win over St. John's on Wednesday, Jan. 31, Villanova guaranteed itself of a winning season in 2000-2001. This marks the 15th winning season in head coach Harry Perretta's 23-year Villanova career. Of those 15 winning seasons, nine have resulted in 20 wins or more. During his Wildcat career, Perretta has tallied 15 winning seasons, three years of .500 ball and just five losing seasons. His 23-year record currently stands at 411-242 (.629).

CONSISTENT STARTERS: Villanova has used the same starting line-up in 20 of its 23 games this season. The starting five of Mimi Riley (point guard), Trish Juhline (shooting guard), Brandi Barnes (center), Katie Davis (small forward) and Nicole Druckenmiller (power forward) has been used in every contest except Penn State, Fairfield and Notre Dame. Junior Stephanie Baker started for Barnes versus Penn State and she started for Druckenmiller at Notre Dame. Against Fairfield, head coach Harry Perretta started Kelly Nash who is a Fairfield, Conn. native in place of Katie Davis.

BLOODLINES: Sophomore forward Nicole Druckenmiller and freshman forward Courtney Mix both have members of their immediate families with professional athlete status. Druckenmiller's brother, Jim, was a star quarterback at Virginia Tech and played in the NFL with both the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins. He is currently a member of the Memphis Maniax of the XFL. Mix's father, Steve, played in the NBA for the Pistons (1969-72), 76ers (1973-82), Bucks (1982), and Lakers (1982-83). He is currently a television broadcaster for the 76ers.

BIG WINS: By defeating No. 10 Rutgers on Saturday, Jan. 20, Villanova has now tallied three wins over ranked opponents in the last two seasons. Last season, Villanova won at No. 9 Rutgers, 66-65, in overtime and they defeated No. 19 Boston College, 60-59, in a game played at Villanova.

2000-2001 DOUBLE-DOUBLES:

Brandi Barnes vs. Pennsylvania (12/12): 20 points, 11 rebounds

Brandi Barnes vs. Bucknell (12/29): 20 points, 11 rebounds

Courtney Mix vs. Georgetown(1/10): 11 points, 11 rebounds

Brandi Barnes vs. Virginia Tech (1/23): 16 points, 10 rebounds

VILLANOVA PICKED SEVENTH: In the Big East Conference preseason Coaches poll, Villanova was chosen to finish seventh in the 14-member Big East Conference. The following is the coaches order of finish.

1. Connecticut 169

2. Rutgers 152

3. Notre Dame 150

4. Boston College 129

5. Georgetown 100

Virginia Tech 100

7. VILLANOVA 94

8. Pittsburgh 92

9. Miami 88

10. Syracuse 53

11. St. John's 49

12. Providence 44

13. Seton Hall 39

14. West Virginia 15