Jan. 22, 2008

Final Stats

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Providence College women's basketball team fell to Villanova, 70-50, in BIG EAST Conference action on January 22 at Alumni Hall in Providence, R.I. Providence trailed by just four points at halftime, but was outscored 37-21 in the second half. Tia Grant netted a game-high 18 points for Villanova, while Laura Kurz and Stacie Witman each contributed 15 points. Sophomore Kendria Holmes (Charlotte, N.C.) tallied a team-best 13 points for the Friars. Junior Shantee Darrian (Trenton, N.J.) recorded 10 points and a game-high eight rebounds.

The first half of play featured eight ties and 11 lead changes. The two teams traded baskets for much of the half, with the Wildcats earning no-larger than a four-point lead and the Friars led by as many as three. The game was tied for the eighth time in the half (29-29), with 1:18 remaining on the clock as Holmes hit a jumper for the Friars. Villanova closed out the half on a 4-0 run to take a 33-29 lead into halftime. Holmes led Providence in the opening 20 minutes with 10 points, while the Wildcats got 13 first-half points from Grant.

Villanova shot 50-percent (13-26) from the field in the first half, including 3-5 from beyond the three-point arc (60-percent). Providence hit 11 of its 26 (42.3-percent) shots in the first 20 minutes, including 2-5 from three-point range (40-percent).

Villanova opened the second half on a 13-6 run heading into the first media timeout, at the 13:16 mark, to take a 46-35 lead. The Wildcats never looked back, as they worked their lead to as many as 26 (68-42) with 4:13 left to play. The decisive second half featured a Friar squad that connected on just six of 23 shot attempts, while the Wildcats improved from the field (53.6-percent) on 15 of 28 shooting. Villanova, typically known for its ability to shoot the long-ball, posted a 46-16 scoring advantage in the paint.

The Friars return to action on Saturday, January 26 against BIG EAST foe Seton Hall. The game is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. and will be played at Alumni Hall/Mullaney Gymnasium in Providence, R.I.

- FRIARS -