Game Book | Villanova Quotes | Providence Quotes
UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Behind the hot hand of sophomore guard Jasmine Bascoe, No. 2 seed Villanova moved past No. 7 seed Providence, 73-65, in a back-and-forth affair, advancing to the semifinal of the 2026 BIG EAST Women’s Basketball Tournament Presented by Jeep.
The Wildcats will return to action at Mohegan Sun Arena Sunday at 5 p.m. ET against the winner of the final quarterfinal game between No. 3 seed Seton Hall and No. 6 seed St. John’s Saturday night.
Bascoe dominated from start to finish with a career-high 31-points to lead the way for Villanova. The performance marked the third highest in the tournament by a Wildcat, and the most since Maddy Siegrist’s 37-point performance in the 2023 semifinal against Creighton.
Providence had three players reach at least 15 points, led by graduate guard Sabou Gueye (19 points) and sophomore guard Orlagh Gormley (19). Graduate forward Teneisia Brown added 15 points.
Villanova held a 23–16 lead over Providence at the end of the first quarter behind a strong start from Bascoe, who poured in 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting in the opening period. The Wildcats built momentum late in the quarter after the game was tight early, with Villanova clinging to a 17–14 edge with 3:30 remaining. From there, Nova found another gear, going on a 13–2 run that pushed its advantage to 30–16 — the largest lead either team held in the first half.
Providence responded emphatically midway through the second quarter. The Friars flipped the script with an extended surge, ripping off a 19–2 run that erased Villanova’s cushion and briefly put Providence in front 35–32. The run was fueled by second-chance opportunities and increased defensive pressure that disrupted Villanova’s rhythm after the Wildcats’ hot start.
Villanova steadied itself just before the break, however, scoring the final six points of the half to reclaim control and take a 38–35 lead into halftime. The Wildcats shot 15-of-31 (.484) from the field and 6-of-16 (.375) from three-point range through two quarters, while Providence went 13-of-33 (.394) overall. Despite trailing on the scoreboard, the Friars controlled the glass with a 23–16 rebounding advantage, including a 7–1 edge on the offensive boards that helped fuel their second-quarter comeback.
Providence opened the third quarter with a quick five points to move in front 40–38, but Villanova answered with a 6–0 run to reclaim a 44–40 advantage. The teams traded blows for several possessions before the Wildcats seized control late in the period, closing the quarter on a 9–0 run to stretch the lead to 58–47.
The surge carried over into the fourth, extending to 16 unanswered points as Villanova pushed the margin to 65–47 with 8:50 remaining. Bascoe again led the charge in the third quarter, scoring 13 points while shooting 5-of-9 from the field.
Providence went on a 14-4 run over the final 6:36 of the fourth quarter, but it was not enough to complete the comeback.