Feb. 29, 2000

February 29, 2000 - 7:30 pm
The Pavilion
Villanova, Pa.

Series Information:
Series Record: RU leads 11-5
Last VU Win: Jan. 15, 2000, 66-65 ot
Last RU Win: Jan. 30, 1999, 61-48
STREAK: VU won last meeting

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

Fax Back
For all the information you need on Villanova athletics, access our fax back system: (201) 947-4918.
Short Notes (2231) - Full Notes (2232)
Stats (2233) - Box Scores (2234)

LAST TIME OUT:

Rutgers- On Saturday, Feb. 26, Rutgers traveled to St. John's where they tallied a 70-47 win. The Scarlet Knights led 29-20 at halftime and outscored the Red Storm 41-27 in the second stanza. In the win, Rutgers was led by junior center Tammy Sutton-Brown who came off the bench to score 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting and senior Shawnetta Stewart who registered a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Davalyn Cunningham also tallied double figures for Rutgers with 10 points. Leading the way for St. John's was Giani Bowles who netted 14 points. For the game, Rutgers shot 41 percent from the floor, while St. John's shot 34.8 percent from the field.

Villanova-- On Saturday, Feb. 26, Providence defeated Villanova in a Big East contest by a score of 70-59 in a game played at Alumni Hall.

The Friars led, 37-29, at the half after shooting 45 percent from the floor (13-of-29) and 73 percent from the free throw line (8-of-11) in the first half. Junior Dani Trippany netted 12 of her 13 points in the first stanza, while junior Jen Gombotz scored 10 points and grabbed five rebounds before the break. The Wildcats fought back in the second half and took the lead at the 11 minute mark, as junior Brandi Barnes hit a jumper to put her squad up, 47-46. Villanova led by as much as six with eight minutes remaining, but PC tied the game at 57 at the 4:41 mark as Gombotz netted a layup off a steal. Gombotz was fouled and made good on the three-point play to put PC up, 58-57.

The Friars then closed out the final four minutes with a 12-2 run, led by junior Monika Roberts , who had nine points in the final minutes of the game. Gombotz led PC with her team-high 21 points and 12 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season. Roberts came off the bench for 16 points and 11 boards, while Trippany finished the night with 13 points. Senior Meghan Hinds rounded out the top scorers for the Friars with her 12 points.

Barnes led all scorers with her game-high 24 points for Villanova. Freshman Trish Juhline registered 13 points, while senior Mary Beth Snell pulled down a career-high 10 rebounds for the 'Cats.

Providence, who outscored Villanova, 33-30, in the second stanza, scored 30 of their points in the paint, 14 off Villanova's nine turnovers and 11 on fast breaks.

1999-2000 Big East Standings
Regular Season Standings
(as of 2/29/00)

Villanova Probable Starters

Villanova Off the Bench

Head Coach Harry Perretta
Harry Perretta is in his 22nd year as the head coach of the Villanova women's basketball program. In his tenure at Villanova, Perretta has recorded a 394-233 mark. Against Big East Competition, Perretta has registered a 174-136 record.

During his career at Villanova, Perretta has guided the Wildcats to three NCAA Tournament appearances, two Big East Tournament Championships and eight Philadelphia Big Five titles. In 1981-82, he led the Wildcats to the AIAW Final Four. Perretta, who is the all-time winningest coach in Villanova women's basketball history, is just six wins shy of 400 career victories.

Rutgers Probable Starters

Rutgers Off The Bench

Head Coach Vivian Stringer
Rutgers is led by fifth-year head coach Vivian Stringer. During her tenure at Rutgers, Stringer has compiled a 94-54 record. Earlier this season, Stringer tallied her 600th career coaching win. Prior to her arrival at Rutgers, Stringer coached at Iowa where she guided her team to the Final Four in 1992-93. She began her coaching career at Cheyney State where she tallied a 251-51 record in 11 seasons. Stringer's overall career coaching mark currently stands at 614-189. A three-time National Coach of the Year, Stringer has coached in two Final Fours and four NCAA Regional Finals.

Team Comparison

THE FIRST MEETING: Villanova and Rutgers played earlier this season on Saturday, Jan. 15 in a game played at the Louis Brown Athletic Center. In that game, Villanova stunned then No. 9 Rutgers, 66-65, in overtime. Villanova led 60-57 with time running out in regulation before Rutgers senior Shawnetta Stewart hit a three-point shot with one second left to send the game into overtime. In the extra session, the Wildcats were 0-for-6 from the field, but managed to convert 6-of-6 from the charity stripe. Freshman Trish Juhline calmly hit two free throws with 17 seconds left to give the 'Cats the victory. In the win, Villanova was led by senior Jenea Skeeters who scored a game-high 24 points on 7-of-12 shooting and freshman Katie Davis who tallied a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Also scoring double figures for Villanova were Juhline with 14 and junior center Brandi Barnes who had 11. Rutgers was paced by Stewart who had 23 points on 8-of-21 shooting and junior point guard Tasha Pointer who scored 16 points.

BARNES HAS BIG DAY: For the second time this year, junior center Brandi Barnes tied her career-high with 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting in Villanova's 70-59 loss at Providence this past Saturday. In addition to her 24 points, Barnes tallied eight rebounds and she equalled her career-high with three blocks. This was the second time this year that Barnes scored 24 points against Providence. In two games versus the Friars this season, Barnes shot 20-of-35 from the field and recorded 48 points and 13 rebounds. For the year, Barnes is averaging 10.1 ppg., and a team-high 6.6 rpg.

FAREWELL SENIORS: Tuesday's game with Rutgers will be the last home contest for Villanova seniors Jenea Skeeters and Mary Beth Snell. Skeeters has played in every game (111 total) during her Wildcat career, starting on 89 occasions. Skeeters currently ranks sixth on the all-time Villanova women's basketball scoring list with 1,338 points and she rates 16th all-time in rebounding and 18th in assists. During her career, Skeeters has tallied 20 or more points 11 times, including five times this season. Snell has played in 82 games during her Main Line career, including all 26 this season. In the 26 games she has played in this year, Snell has started in 10 of them including the last six. Throughout her career, Snell has registered 197 points, 93 rebounds, 64 assists and she has connected on 58 three-point field goals. Skeeters and Snell along with senior managers Alexandra Kuzio and DeVon Jackson will be honored in a pre-game ceremony prior to the Rutgers games on Tuesday evening.

ON THE BOARDS: Despite playing guard and standing at 5-9, senior Mary Beth Snell was a force on the backboard in last Saturday's loss at Providence. In 35 minutes of action, Snell grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds. Entering the game, Snell had recorded a total of 34 rebounds the entire season. Her previous career-best was four rebounds.

OFFENSIVE STRUGGLES: The main reason for Villanova's current four-game losing streak is due to the team's offensive struggles. In the last four contests, Villanova is 83-of-236 (35%) from the field including going 17-of-85 (20%) from three-point range. Because of the poor shooting, Villanova has only scored over 60 points in one of the last four games.

LEADING SCORER: Villanova has been led in scoring all season long by senior Jenea Skeeters. Entering the Rutgers game, Skeeters is leading the 'Cats with a 13.9 ppg. average. In addition, she is averaging 4.7 rpg., and 3.6 apg. Her 13.9 ppg. average ranks her eighth in the Big East in scoring for overall games. In 26 games this year, Skeeters has scored in double figures on 20 occasions.

MOVING UP: With 18 more points, senior Jenea Skeeters will move ahead of current Wildcat assistant coach Denise Dillon on Villanova's scoring chart.

VILLANOVA 1,000 POINT SCORERS

81-STRAIGHT: Entering play versus Rutgers, Villanova has made at least one three-point field goal in 81 consecutive games. The last time the Wildcats failed to connect on a three-point field goal was on Dec. 2, 1997 when they were 0-for-7 from behind the arc in a 67-27 loss at Connecticut.

ROOKIE IMPACT: Freshman Trish Juhline has started her career off in fine fashion. Entering play versus Rutgers, Juhline is currently second on the team in scoring with a 12.9 ppg., average and she leads the Wildcats in three-point field goals made with 56. In just Big East Conference games, Juhline leads the Wildcats in scoring with a 14.6 ppg. average. Juhline has scored in double figures in nine-straight games. In Big East statistics for just conference games, she is seventh in the league in scoring and she is tied for second in the league in three-pointers made with 39.

KEEPING GOOD COMPANY: With 336 points to her credit, rookie guard Trish Juhline currently ranks fifth all-time at Villanova for points scored by a freshman. With 22 more points, Juhline will move past Wildcat teammate Jenea Skeeters into fourth place on the list. The other six players on the list below combined to earn Big East honors on 14 occasions. In addition, Shelly Pennefather was a three-time Big East Player of the Year and Lisa Angelotti was a one-time conference Player of the Year.

BEHIND THE ARC: After 26 games, Villanova has already attempted 568 three-point field goals, compared to its opponents who have tried 269 shots from behind the arc. The Wildcats are 170-of-568 for 29.9 percent, while their opponents are 74-of-269 for 27.5 percent. Villanova averages 6.5 made three-pointers a game and they attempt 21.8 triples per contest. The 'Cats have had seven different players make at least seven triples this season, including six players who have double figures in three-pointers made.

YOUNG GUNS: Of the top eight players in head coach Harry Perretta's rotation, three are freshmen and one is a sophomore. Two of the rookies, guard Trish Juhline and forward Katie Davis, are true freshmen, while forward Nicole Druckenmiller is a redshirt freshman. Sophomore center Stephanie Baker comes off the bench. The three freshmen have accounted for 39.9 percent of the team's scoring and they have logged 34.5 percent of the team's minutes played. Juhline, Davis and Druckenmiller rank second, fourth and fifth respectively on the team in scoring.

1999-2000 DOUBLE-DOUBLES:

STUDY HALL: The Villanova women's basketball team has enjoyed a great deal of success in the classroom. During the fall semester, 10 of the team's 15 players recorded a GPA of 3.0 or better. As a whole, the 597 Villanova student-athletes combined to earn a 2.9 GPA this past fall semester.

PELLICANE'S STREAK ENDS: Junior guard Lauren Pellicane saw her streak of 43-straight games in the starting line-up come to an end when she missed the UConn game on Saturday, Jan. 22. Pellicane missed the match-up with the No. 1 Huskies due to an injured right knee suffered in practice on Thursday, Jan. 20. Pellicane underwent successful surgery on Wednesday, Feb. 16. She is expected to be 100 percent for her senior season in 2000-2001. Pellicane started 15 games this season and averaged 5.5 ppg., 2.5 rpg., and 3.2 apg in 34.3 minutes per contest. In addition, she made 18 three-point field goals. As a sophomore last year, Pellicane averaged 9.0 ppg., and finished second in the Big East Conference in three-point field goals made with 69.

RILEY LOST FOR THE SEASON: Junior guard Mimi Riley will miss the remainder of the 1999-2000 season due to left foot injury. Following the season, Riley will apply for a medical hardship. If granted the hardship, she will have two years of eligibility remaining with the 2000-2001 season. Riley suffered the injury in Villanova's final exhibition game on Nov. 16. The injury forced her to miss the team's first six games. She returned to the line-up on Dec. 8 when she came off the bench at Boston College to tally four points and four rebounds in 17 minutes of action. Riley also saw playing time in Villanova's next two games, logging 22 minutes versus St. Joseph's on Dec. 11 and 17 minutes against George Washington on Dec. 13. The injury has failed to heal properly and the discomfort forced Riley to miss both games in the PNC Bank Wildcat Christmas Classic on Dec. 29-30 and the Providence contest on Jan. 8.

A NEW ROLE: After playing point guard for head coach Harry Perretta and the Wildcats the last four seasons, Shanette Lee has exchanged her uniform for a clipboard, as Lee will now serve as Perretta's third assistant. Lee had a stellar four years on the Main Line, finishing her career as the program's all-time assist leader with 526.

VILLANOVA SEASON-HIGH SUPERLATIVES

VILLANOVA BY THE NUMBERS

RECORDS...

WILDCATS RECORD WHEN...

VILLANOVA TEAM HIGHS...

VILLANOVA TEAM LOWS...