June 1, 2004

MAESTRE, ITALY - The Villanova women's basketball team kicked off the month of June on a high note. The Wildcats defeated Umana Reyer Veneza, 78-59, on Tuesday, June 1st to stay perfect on their summer Italy tour through three games. The `Cats played Umana Reyer Veneza in Maestre, Italy, right outside of Venice.

Villanova was down by as many as eight points in the first half and trailed 37-35 at intermission. The `Cats shot just 13-of-36 (36.1 percent) from the field in the first half.

In the second half, the Wildcat offense caught fire. Villanova shot 18-of-31 (58.1 percent) in the final two quarters to rally for a 78-59 victory.

Liad Suez and Jackie Adamshick led the way offensively for the `Cats, scoring 21 and 19 respectively. Suez shot eight-of-12 from the field and five-of-eight from three point range to go along with seven rebounds. Adamshick netted seven-of-13 from the floor and two-of-five from the three-point arch. She missed her first shots from the field, and hit on seven of her next eight attempts.

Other top scorers for Villanova were Jennifer Hilgenberg with 10 points (on five-of-12 shooting), Jenna Viani with nine points, and Kate Dessart Mager with eight points and six rebounds. In addition, Staci Whitman had four points and three steals, Courtney Roantree had three points, Jana Rediger had two points and four rebounds, and guard Betsy McManus had an outstanding overall game with two points, five steals, two assists and three rebounds.

The Wildcats finished the game 31-of-57 from the field, nine-of-26 from long distance and seven-of-nine from the foul line. Villanova turned the ball over just six times in the contest.

The `Cats will leave Venice tomorrow and travel to Pisa tomorrow night to take on Girls Base Basket Livorno.