INDIANAPOLIS – Villanova posted their 20th win of the season on Friday night by defeating Butler 72-36. Maddy Siegrist led all players with a game-high 31 points. The Wildcats also got 19 points from Lior Garzon. For Butler, Celena Taborn posted a team-best 12 points on 6-of-8 shooting.
 
How it Happened
Villanova used a pair of 3-pointers and a post move score to build their 8-2 lead over Butler. The Wildcat defense would then create a turnover and score easily on the other end to force BU into calling a timeout.
 
Maddy Siegrist had 12 of Nova's first 19 points. She started the game 5-for-5 from the field, including 2-2 from long range. Butler got field goals from Sydney Jaynes, Celena Taborn, and Kendall Wingler in the first quarter. Zoe Jackson and Ellen Ross would add free throws to the Bulldog scoring total.
 
Wingler hit a 3-pointer from the left wing to open up the second quarter. The next BU field goal would come moments later with Tenley Dowell using a spin move to draw a double team. She dropped the ball off to Jaynes on the right block for an easy two.
 
The Wildcats led Butler 31-13 at the second quarter media timeout (4:48) and would own a 35-17 advantage at halftime. Taborn led BU with six points at the break and Siegrist was in the box score with a game-high 20.
 
Siegrist hit her third 3-pointer of the game early in the third quarter to help the 'Cats outscore Butler 11-2 over the first three minutes of action. By the midway point, the Bulldogs would trail Villanova 51-21. Taborn would end the third quarter with three-straight buckets to move her scoring total to 12, but the 'Dawgs were outscored 25-10 resulting in a 33-point deficit.
 
Villanova kept their starters in for the start of the fourth quarter and outscored Butler 7-2 during that stretch. Siegrist and company would exit the game with 6:04 to play and the teams would finish it out to the final score of 72-36.
 
Stat of the Game
Siegrist and Garzon combined for 50 of Villanova's 72 points.
 
Inside the Box Score
- Sydney Jaynes scored six points for the Bulldogs
- Kendall Wingler posted five points and five boards off the BU bench
- Wingler and Emilia Sexton each hit a 3-pointer for BU
- Sexton led the 'Dawgs with two steals
- The Wildcats forced 24 Butler turnovers, resulting in 31 points
- Villanova shot 50% from the field in the first quarter to score 23 points
 
Up Next
Butler will host Georgetown on Sunday at 2 PM. Fans are encouraged to arrive early as the program will recognize the 2022 senior class before the National Anthem.