VILLANOVA, PA. 11/21/2019 – In the last home game of the month Villanova welcomed back Manhattan Jaspers Coach Heather Vulin who was an assistant under Harry Perretta from 2008 to 2015. Jaspers center Courtney Warley is from West Chester, daughter of Saint Joseph’s player Carlin Warley.
But they were here to play a basketball game, and that went to the Wildcats 61 – 53 at The Finn. Villanova improves their record to 2 – 3 winning two in a row. The Cats were led by Maddy Siegrist who scored a game-high 28 points one shy of her career-high set in the previous game. The freshman also pulled down 14 rebounds which set her collegiate mark. It was the initial double-double for Siegrist, who has three consecutive 20-point games, and is getting more comfortable in the offensive scheme.
“The first two games I was very nervous, said Siegrist. “The more games I play, it’s just basketball.”
Mary Gedaka added 17 points. The inside play from Gedaka has opened the outside for Siegrist.
“They triple team her every night and that’s why we are able to get open shots,” Siegrist said. “She is so helpful on the court and off the court.”
Early in the game Villanova shot just 19%. The percentage improved in the second and third quarter where the number was closer to 60% from the floor. Siegrist got 15 points in the middle quarters while Gedaka contributed 9 points. In that span the team was getting better shot selection and executed the offense.
“It is a question of know what we are supposed to do, get the ball to the right people.” Villanova Coach Harry Perretta explained about the percentage fluctuation. For the game the Cats made 23 of 54 for 42.6%.
Manhattan stayed close. In the fourth quarter the gap closed to five at 46 – 41 with just over 5 minutes to play. Perretta says that experience is a factor in the game. Gedaka has the experience and scored 6 straight Nova points to stretch the lead to 52 – 43 at the three and a half minute mark. Late in the game the Wildcats closed it out with junior Raven James made 3 from the line and Brie Wajer made four.
Turnovers continue to be a concern and the Cats had 18, the most this season.
Bridget Herlihy matched her career-high in rebounds corralling 10 misses, and handed set her collegiate-mark handing out 6 assists.
Emily Lapointe led the Jaspers with 18 points with 3 coming from beyond the arc. Julie Hoier added 11 points, and Warley scored 9. Pamela Miceus pulled down a team-best 11 rebounds.
The Wildcats go on the road meeting Georgia on Sunday, looking to get three straight victories.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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