PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Interstat) — Villanova led from start to finish in an 85-55 rout of Providence in a Big East women’s basketball game Sunday at Dunkin’ Center. The Wildcats established control with a 24-point first quarter and maintained a double-digit advantage throughout. Villanova’s defense was stifling, generating 24 points off turnovers while holding the Friars to just 10 in that category. Villanova also held a 32-24 edge in points in the paint. The victory improved Villanova to 14-3 overall this season. Providence fell to an even 9-9. An announced crowd of 816 attended the game.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Interstat) — The Villanova Wildcats delivered a dominant defensive performance fueled by relentless pressure, cruising to an 85-55 victory over the Providence Friars in a Big East Conference women’s basketball game Sunday at Dunkin’ Center. From the opening tip, Villanova established a tone of defensive intensity that Providence could never match. The Wildcats forced the Friars into 23 turnovers, converting those miscues into 24 points, while committing only eight turnovers of their own. That staggering 15-turnover disparity formed the backbone of a wire-to-wire victory that improved Villanova to 14-3 overall. Providence fell to 9-9. The most critical stretch of the game arrived almost immediately, setting a precedent for the afternoon. After Providence’s Nalani Kaysia won the opening tip, Villanova’s defensive clamps locked in. The Friars committed turnovers on their first three possessions—a travel by Princess Moody, another by Sabou Gueye, and a Gueye pass picked off by Kelsey Joens. Villanova capitalized as Brynn McCurry scored the game’s first four points off those Friar errors. The onslaught continued. By the first media timeout with 6:35 remaining in the opening quarter, Providence had turned the ball over six times in just over three minutes. Villanova’s swarming defense, led by active hands in the passing lanes and physical interior play, disrupted every aspect of the Friars’ offense. Providence finished the first quarter with 14 points but had already coughed up the ball eight times, allowing Villanova to build a 24-14 lead it would never relinquish. Villanova’s offensive execution, while efficient, played a supporting role to its defensive masterpiece. The Wildcats shot 47.8% from the field and 36.7% from three-point range, but their 117.7 offensive rating was built on high-percentage shots often generated by their defense. They shared the ball effectively with 10 assists and scored 32 points in the paint. McCurry, a 6-foot-1 forward from Sparta, New Jersey, led all scorers with 20 points, adding six rebounds, four assists and a block in just 25 minutes. Her performance marked a significant offensive rebound after scoring a combined 17 points in her previous two conference games. Guard Jasmine Bascoe of Milton, Canada, orchestrated the attack with 19 points and seven assists, while Denae Carter of Philadelphia provided all-around impact with six points, eight rebounds, seven assists, two steals and a block. For Providence, which managed an offensive rating of just 75.7, the struggles were comprehensive. The Friars shot 36.4% from the field and were outrebounded despite 12 offensive boards. Payton Dunbar led the team with 13 points, but also had five turnovers. Kaysia was a bright spot defensively with 12 rebounds and two blocks, but the Friars’ ball-handlers had no answer for Villanova’s pressure. Moody finished with eight points but committed six turnovers. Villanova methodically extended its lead each quarter, holding Providence to 11 points in the second and 12 in the third to enter the final period ahead 63-37. The Wildcats’ lead ballooned to as many as 34 points in the fourth quarter before settling on the 30-point final margin. The victory sets up a significant conference showdown for Villanova, which travels to face Connecticut on Thursday. Providence looks to regroup quickly, visiting Butler on Wednesday. The announced attendance was 816.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (Interstat) — A surging Villanova Wildcats squad will look to continue its strong start to Big East play when it visits the Providence Friars on Sunday at Dunkin’ Center. The Wildcats (13-3, 3-1 Big East) have won five of their last six, including a decisive 67-50 victory over Xavier on Thursday. Villanova’s success has been fueled by the dynamic play of guard Jasmine Bascoe. Over her last five full games, she is averaging 17.2 points and 6.2 assists, coming off a 15-point, 7-assist performance against Xavier. Providence (9-8, 1-3) seeks to regain momentum after a tough 58-48 home loss to Seton Hall its last time out. The Friars have struggled against top competition, with recent losses to South Carolina and perennial power Connecticut. They will rely on guard Orlagh Gormley, who posted 15 points, five rebounds and five assists in a win over DePaul on Jan. 4, to orchestrate the offense. Villanova’s offense has been potent, scoring 74 or more points in four of its last six contests. Beyond Bascoe, Kelsey Joens provides a scoring punch, netting 18 points in the win over Xavier. Providence’s defense, which held DePaul to 59 points in its lone conference win, will be tested. The Friars will need to improve their offensive output after being held under 60 points in three of their last four games. Protecting home court is critical for Providence as it navigates a challenging conference slate. This is the first of two regular-season meetings between the teams, with the rematch scheduled for Jan. 27 at Villanova. Tip-off is set for Sunday afternoon.