Marquette women’s basketball never saw a lead Sunday afternoon.
A series of scoring droughts and unmade baskets meant the Golden Eagles (16-11, 10-8 Big East) handily lost their fourth-straight game, 64-39, to Villanova (22-7, 15-4), the same team they trounced at the start of the new year at the Al McGuire Center.
Marquette’s 39 points mark a new scoring low this season, and the fourth consecutive defeat is the program’s first losing streak of that degree since the start of the 2015-16 season.
Starting it off for the Golden Eagles was senior guard Kennedi Perkins, finding her way inside the paint at the 8:48 mark of the first quarter. But overwhelming Marquette with their defense, the Wildcats found their way to a 12-0 run across seven minutes, leaving Perkins’ points to linger on the scoreboard.
Snapping their scoring drought was a shot from downtown by graduate guard Lee Volker. That shot would be the only 3-pointer drilled for the Golden Eagles in the first half, as they went 1-for-7. Volker finished as the team’s leader with 11 points.
It was remarkably different than the last time these two teams faced each other at the Al McGuire Center on Jan. 4. Of their 18 attempts from beyond the arc, 11 were successful.
Finishing off the afternoon 2-for-13 from deep, it marked the lowest 3-point shooting percentage this season for the blue & gold.
Villanova knew Marquette’s game plan, and the pick-and-roll offense was eliminated. Open look shots were nowhere near connecting all game long. For every missed attempt made by the Golden Eagles, the Wildcats made sure to attack. Heading into the locker room, Marquette trailed Villanova by 11, searching for a way to get their groove back.
For a team that averages 16.5 turnovers per game, the Marquette had turned the ball over 14 times by the end of the half and 22 total to Villanova’s 9. However, of those 22, the Wildcats took little advantage, only scoring eight points.
Disrupted and uncomfortable, the Golden Eagles tried to chip away at the deficit, and when it seemed hopeful, the Wildcats did everything possible to pull away. Villanova held MU scoreless from the field in the last three minutes of the match, forcing a 25-point difference in the end.
Pressure isn’t something new to Marquette. The Golden Eagles have faced it all season long, and with postseason play just around the corner, how they learn to deal with it will be their key to success.
Marquette will look to rest and restructure before returning home to the Al McGuire Center for their last home match against Xavier. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m CST.
This story was written by Raquel Ruiz. She can be reached at [email protected].
