Hurricane Women Fall To Villanova

Jan. 26, 2000

Villanova, Pa.— On Wednesday, Jan. 26, in a Big East Conference gameat The Pavilion, the Villanova University women’s basketball teamdefeated the University of Miami, 44-34, to improve to 10-7 overall onthe season and 3-3 in conference play. With the loss, the Hurricanes ofMiami fall to 8-9 overall, and 2-4 in Big East action.

The Wildcats jumped out to an early 9-2 lead sparked by athree-pointer from freshman forward Nicole Druckenmiller at the 16:08point. Miami charged back and cut the Villanova lead to three, 11-8, atthe 10:02 mark on a driving layup by forward Camilla Osth. Despite poorshooting on both ends of the floor, the `Cats increased their advantageto 19-11 with 5:54 remaining before intermission, behind two quickjumpers by junior center Brandi Barnes.

The Hurricanes closed the gap to 22-19 at the half, as centerAlicia Hartlaub hit two consecutive field goals to end the firststanza. Villanova shot just 31 percent (nine-for-29) in the openinghalf, but were able to hold a slim three-point edge as Miami shot 27.6percent on eight-of-29 from the floor. Druckenmiller and Barnes led theWildcats with six points apiece in the first half, while Hartlaub scoredeight points for the `Canes.

The contest remained close early on in the second half, withVillanova maintaining a 24-22 advantage at the 16:41 mark. The Wildcatswent on an 11-2 run in the next 7:19, however, to increase their lead to35-24. Senior Jenea Skeeters led the Villanova spurt with seven points,while freshman guard Trish Juhline added four. The Wildcats controlledthe tempo from there and went on for a 44-34 victory.

For the game, Villanova shot 30.5 percent from the field on18-of-59 shooting, while Miami shot 14-of-57 for 24.6 percent. TheWildcats held the Hurricanes over 34 points below their season average,as Miami came into the game averaging 68.6. The two teams went on toset a new Big East record on Wednesday night for the fewest combinedpoints in a game (78).

UM was led by Hartlaub’s team-high 14 points onseven-of-15 shooting. Osth scored six points for the `Canes and pulleddown six boards, while Martha Bodley came off the bench to score fourpoints and record a team-high seven rebounds.