Last Night In #BIGEASTwbb – 2.22.20
WBB Notes - 2.21 update
BIG EAST Tournament Update
After four games concluded on Friday, No. 12/12 DePaul clinched the BIG EAST regular-season title outright and the accompanying No. 1 seed in the BIG EAST Tournament presented by Jeep. The Blue Demons locked up at least a share of the regular-season title last Sunday, but a win at Georgetown on Friday gave DePaul a minimum four-game lead in the standings with just two to three games remaining. DePaul will be the Tournament’s No. 1 seed for the fourth time overall and first time since 2017. No other tournament seeds were solidified on Friday, but notable outcomes included Butler clinching a season sweep of Creighton, Villanova knocking off Marquette to split the season series and Xavier topping Providence to also split the series. One game is on the calendar for Saturday as Seton Hall visits St. John’s at 2 p.m. ET in a game streaming on the BIG EAST Digital Network presented by SoFi. The Hall holds a one-game lead over the Red Storm in the standings, but St. John’s won when they met earlier this year in South Orange.
Xavier 61, Providence 42
The Musketeers earned a crucial win over Providence in Xavier’s annual Field Trip Day on Friday to split the season series with the Friars. The squads moved into a tie for eighth place with Georgetown, which Providence will look to split with next weekend. Xavier’s A’riana Gray notched her ninth double-double of the year with game highs of 19 points and 11 rebounds. Up by one, 21-20, at the half, the Musketeers were firing on all cylinders over the final 20 minutes, shooting 50 percent from the field to outscore PC 40-22 over the third and fourth quarters. Kaela Webb led Providence with 12 points and five rebounds.
Recap
12/12 DePaul 87, Geogetown 69
The Blue Demons erupted for 32 points in the second quarter to pull away early from the host Hoyas and lock up the No. 1 seed in the BIG EAST Tournament for the fourth time. Sonya Morris scored a game-high 22 points, making 7-of-12 shots from the field for DePaul, while Chante Stonewall reached the 20-point mark for the 12
th time this season. Four Georgetown players finished in double figures with Taylor Barnes posting a team-high 13 points which included a trio of three-pointers. The Hoyas moved into a three-way tie for eighth place in the standings with Providence and Xavier, while the Blue Demons clinched the BIG EAST regular-season title outright with their sixth consecutive win.
Full Recap
Villanova 61, Marquette 47
The Wildcats earned a pivotal win over Marquette on Friday night to split the season series and take a full-game lead over the teams tied for the final spot in the BIG EAST Tournament First Round. Villanova’s Mary Gedaka scored a game-high 21 points, reaching the 20-point mark for the 11
th time this season. Tied at 13-13 after the first quarter, Villanova outscored Marquette 14-5 in the second and led the rest of the game. The Golden Eagles had an uncharacteristic shooting night, making just 31.4 percent of their attempts and just a 1-12 mark from deep. MU entered the game leading the BIG EAST in field goal percentage at .446 and listing third in three-point shooting at .348. The Wildcats made double-digit three-pointers for the seventh time this season, including three for Bridget Herlihy who finished with 18 points. Selena Lott led Marquette with 13 points, seven assists and five rebounds.
Full Recap
Butler 76, Creighton 61
The Bulldogs shot .509 from the field and 50 percent from deep to top Creighton Friday night at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Butler made 9-of-18 shots from three, including a trio for Genesis Parker who finished with 19 points. Butler’s Kristen Spolyar scored a game-high 20 points, making 7-of-12 shots from the field. Temi Carda led Creighton with 18 points. Butler sprinted out to 19-10 lead after the first quarter and never looked back. Creighton entered the contest averaging just 11.3 turnovers per game, but Butler forced 18 Bluejay miscues which resulted in 27 points for the Bulldogs.
Full Recap
Up Next
Saturday
Seton Hall at St. John’s, 2 p.m.*^
Sunday
12/12 DePaul at Villanova, 1 p.m.*^
Marquette at Georgetown, 2 p.m.*^
Providence at Butler, 2 p.m.*^
Creighton at Xavier, 2 p.m.*^
All times Eastern
*BIG EAST contest
^BEDN