March 4, 2003

VILLANOVA, PA. - The Providence College women's basketball team concluded its season with a 83-46 loss to No. 20 Villanova on Tuesday, March 4 in Villanova, Pa. The loss, coupled with a Pittsburgh victory over Seton Hall, eliminates the Friars from the 12-team BIG EAST Conference Tournament on March 8-11. Sophomore forward Jessica Simmonds (South Orange, N.J.) led the Friars with a career-high 20 points and added 10 rebounds to mark her fifth double-double of the season. Sophomore forward Quiana Copeland (Mattapan, Mass.) registered a career-high 17 points and 10 rebounds to mark the first double-double of her career.

In the first half, Villanova got out to an early 23-6 lead with 13:06 on the clock. The Wildcats extended the lead to as many as 22 points (42-20) with 2:00 remaining in the half, enroute to a 44-24 halftime lead. Thirty-six of 'Nova's 44 first half points came from beyond the three-point arc, as it connected on 12-of-21 (57.1 percent) attempts from three-point territory. The Wildcats were a combined 15-of-27 (55.6 percent) from the field in the first half and two-of-three (66.7 percent) from the foul line. Providence shot 41.7 percent (10-24) from the floor (0-2 from three-point range) in the first half. The Friars connected on four-of-five (80.0 percent) shots from the foul line.

Villanova finished the game with 17 three-point field goals, shooting 50.0 percent from the floor (26-52) and from behind the three-point arc (17-34). The 'Cats also shot 90 percent (14-15) from the free-throw line for the game, including a perfect 12-of-12 (100 percent) in the second half. PC finished the game 19-of-48 (39.6 percent) from the field, including one-of-six (16.7 percent) from beyond the arc. The Friars were nine-of-12 from the foul line (75.0 percent). Forty-six of PC's 48 points were scored by the Friars' frontcourt players. PC's guards were a combined one-for-nine from the field. The Friars, did however, outrebound the Wildcats 36-22.

In the second half, Villanova outscored Providence 39-24 to take the decisive 35-point victory (83-48). Katie Davis led the Wildcats with 26 points, followed by Trish Juhline who registered a double-double with 22 points and 10 assists. Juhline also set the BIG EAST Conference career three-point field goals made record with 157. The previous record was held by Providence graduate Julie Wheeler (156).

Providence concludes its regular-season schedule and with an overall record of 9-18 and a 3-13 mark in the BIG EAST Conference (13th place). With the loss to Villanova and a Pittsburgh victory over Seton Hall, the Friars were eliminated from the BIG EAST Conference Tournament.