Sabou Gueye delivered an impressive performance, scoring 10 of her career-high 31 points in the fourth quarter, leading No. 7 seed Providence to a 69-55 victory over No. 10 seed DePaul in the opening round of the Big East women’s basketball tournament held in Uncasville, Conn. on Friday. Gueye shot an efficient 15 of 26 from the field, contributing seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals, propelling Providence (15-17) to advance to the quarterfinals against second-seeded Villanova.
Gueye’s standout moment came during an 11-0 run in the second quarter, where she scored the last nine points, including her only 3-pointer, ensuring the Friars took a lead they would not relinquish. Even when DePaul (8-24) closed the gap to 14 points late in the game, Gueye responded with two fastbreak layups to secure the win. Alongside Gueye, Teneisia Brown recorded a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds, while Orlagh Gormley contributed 13 points, seven assists, and five rebounds, shooting perfectly from beyond the arc.
In another matchup, eighth-seeded Georgetown edged past ninth-seeded Butler with a narrow 62-58 victory. Laila Jewett was instrumental, scoring 19 points and hitting four free throws in the final moments to help secure the win. Georgetown (14-16) staged an 8-0 run in the third quarter, maintaining a slim lead throughout the game. Brianna Scott and Chet Nweke also made significant contributions with 10 points each. Butler (12-19) struggled with turnovers, giving up 20 that led to 21 points for the Hoyas.
In a closely contested game, sixth-seeded St. John’s also fought off an upset from 11th-seeded Xavier, winning 53-48. Brooke Moore scored 10 of her 16 points in the fourth quarter, helping to key St. John’s (22-10) late surge. Sa’Mya Wyatt added a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, while the team effectively shutdown Xavier during the final period, limiting them to just three baskets.
As the tournament progresses, teams like Providence, Georgetown, and St. John’s look to capitalize on their momentum in the quest for the championship. The performance of players such as Gueye and Jewett highlights the potential for exciting matchups in the upcoming rounds, raising the stakes for each team involved.