In an exciting week of women’s basketball, standout performances highlighted several matchups. Jasmine Bascoe delivered a remarkable game for Villanova, scoring a game-high 20 points alongside seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Her teammate Ryanne Allen contributed significantly, hitting five 3-pointers and finishing with 19 points. Villanova surged in the second quarter, posting a 15-7 run solely from beyond the arc, with Allen spearheading the effort by sinking four consecutive treys. Seton Hall’s Jada Eads led her team with 12 points, while Savannah Catalon added 11 points and six rebounds. The Pirates’ defense was notable, forcing 12 turnovers during the matchup.
Meanwhile, in a matchup between Butler and Xavier, Caroline Dotsey led all scorers with a season-high 25 points, shooting 5-for-15 from the field, and adding eight rebounds and two assists. Mallory Miller and Lily Zeinstra supported the Bulldogs’ efforts with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Butler’s defense has been impressive, having forced opponents into double-digit turnovers in 15 of the last 16 games. For Xavier, Vivien Nejašmic was the top scorer with 24 points, while Mariyah Noel came close to a double-double with 13 points and eight rebounds.
Looking ahead, the top-ranked UConn Huskies are set to face #11 Iowa in the 2025 Women’s Champions Classic on Saturday, December 20. The highly anticipated game will air on FOX at 1:30 p.m. ET and will feature commentary from Jason Benetti and Sarah Kustok. UConn’s Sarah Strong is excelling this season, leading her team with averages of 17.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 3.3 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game. Iowa counters with Ava Heiden leading her team at 15.2 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. The two teams have a competitive history, with UConn holding a narrow all-time series lead at 6-4, including a recent NCAA semifinal matchup where Iowa secured a close win.
This week promises to showcase thrilling talent and competitive spirit as these teams strive for victory, highlighting the excitement of women’s collegiate basketball.