Uncasville, Conn. – The Villanova Wildcats advanced to the 2022 Big East Tournament Finals after defeating the Seton Hall Pirates in a 64-55 victory on Sunday.
Villanova got off to a hot start, shooting 56.3% in the first quarter. While they cooled off in the second quarter, shooting just 25%, their great defense gave them a 30-21 first-half lead. Villanova would hold on to the lead for the rest of the game.
Seton Hall was down by as much as 16 in this game, but a comeback attempt cut the lead to as little as four.
The Pirates gave themselves plenty of possessions by creating 18 turnovers, converting for 13 points off those opportunities. However, Villanova remained poised and created possessions of their own. They won the rebounding battle with 39 rebounds to Seton Hall’s 29.
Lior Garzon hit a dagger three with a minute remaining, giving Wildcats a 60-51 lead. That shot sealed the deal on this game, and Villanova held on to advance to the Big East Championship.
Villanova shot well enough to dominate so well for most of the game, shooting 44% from the field and 36% from three.
Maddy Siegrist has a phenomenal performance and proved why she was voted Big East Player of the Year. The junior was unstoppable, finishing with a double-double with 24 points and 14 rebounds.
Brianna Herlihy was impressive as well, knocking down three three-pointers and collecting eight rebounds to go along with her 17 points. The duo of Herlihy and Siegrist had 41 of the team’s total points.
SETON HALL PLAYED THEIR HEARTS OUT
Despite playing their third game in three days, the big three of Andra Espinoza-Hunter, Lauren Park-Lane, and Sidney Cooks had excellent performances.
Cooks dominated down low for the Pirates, putting up 19 points on 8 of 17 shooting. She picked up a fourth foul in the fourth quarter that kept her out of the game for a few minutes, but she kept it clean and remained a factor down low, finishing with a block and seven rebounds as well.
Espinoza-Hunter, a former UConn Huskie, had hoped to play against her former team, but this loss will prevent that scenario. She finished with 12 points and 3 steals, making her impact felt on the defensive end.
Park-Lane led the team offensively with 24 points on 50% shooting. She had tears in her eyes in the game’s final moments, showing how tough a loss this was for Seton Hall.
VILLANOVA IN THE FINALS
The Villanova Wildcats will have a chance at an automatic NCAA Tournament bid in the Big East Championship with a win against No. 7 UConn.
The Wildcats have not won the conference tournament since 2003, but they hope to change that in the Finals on March 7.
