Villanova has won six games in a row. Here’s how Lucy Olsen and the Wildcats can make it seven.
Olsen, Christina Dalce, and the Wildcats are riding high and in second in the Big East as the fourth-place Bluejays come to town.
Christina Dalce (center) and Villanova have won six straight. Up next: a East clash with Creighton.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
by Brooke Ackerman
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Published
The new year has, in fact, been happy for Villanova.
The Wildcats women’s basketball team (12-5, 5-1 Big East) is perfect in four games since the calendar turned and has won six straight overall, wiping out a lousy December (three straight losses before the holidays) and gaining real momentum as the Big East schedule catches fire.
Next up: Creighton (noon Sunday at Finneran Pavilion, CBSSN), which is fourth in the Big East (13-3, 4-2).
Here are three things Villanova needs to focus on to maintain its winning streak:
Have a day, Lucy Olsen
It’s no secret that junior Lucy Olsen is the driving force behind Villanova’s offensive success, but let’s take a look at just how impressive she’s been:
Olsen is averaging 23.6 points and 4.9 rebounds in a team-high 36.8 minutes. In the Wildcats’ win over Marquette, Olsen had a game-high 37 points on 12-for-19 shooting and sank a pair of late free throws to help Villanova seal the win.
No other Wildcats are averaging double-figure scoring, so Olsen’s usual standout performance offensively will be key against the Bluejays, who counter with a stellar offense of their own. More on that later.
Villanova huddles before their game against Marquette on Jan. 17, 2024 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Lucy Olsen, right, of Villanova scores over Rose Nkumu of Marquette during the first half on Jan. 17, 2024 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Lucy Olsen, left, and Christina Dalce, right, of Villanovabattle for the ball with Liza Karlen of Marquette during the 2nd half on Jan. 17, 2024 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Christina Dalce, center, of Villanova comes from behind to black a shot by Liza Karlen of Marquette during the first half on Jan. 17, 2024 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Lucy Olsen, left, of Villanova shoots over Rose Nkumu of Marquette during the first half on Jan. 17, 2024 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Christina Dalce , left, of Villanovdeflects the ball away from Jordan King of Marquette during the first half on Jan. 17, 2024 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Lucy Olsen, right, of Villanova shoots over Jordan King of Marquette during the 2nd half on Jan. 17, 2024 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Bella Runyan, right, of Villanova shoots a 3-pointer against Liza Karlen of Marquette during the first half on Jan. 17, 2024 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Bella Runyan, left, of Villanovadrives against Liza Karlen of Marquette during the first half on Jan. 17, 2024 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Lucy Olsen of Villanova shoots over Mackenzie Hare of Marquette during the 2nd half on Jan. 17, 2024 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Coach Denise Dillon of Villanovaduring the game against Marquette on Jan. 17, 2024 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddie Webber, center, of Villanova against Mackenzie Hare, right, of Marquette during the 2nd half on Jan. 17, 2024 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Maddie Webber, left, of Villanova drives against Rose Nkumu of Marquette during the first half on Jan. 17, 2024 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Christina Dalce, right, of Villanova and Skylar Forbes of Marquette battle for the ball during the 4th quarter on Jan. 17, 2024 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Christina Dalce, left, of Villanova shoots over Liza Karlen of Marquette during the first half on Jan. 17, 2024 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Lucy Olsen, left, of Villanova shoots over Jordan King of Marquette during the 2nd half on Jan. 17, 2024 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Lucy Olsen, right, of Villanova shoots the game-winning shot that gave Villanova a 1-point lead over on Jan. 17, 2024 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
With Villanova leading by 1, Christina Dalce, right, of Villanova blocks a shot by Jordan King of Marquette to preserve their victory on Jan. 17, 2024 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University. Villanova ended up winning 66-63.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Christina Dalce, right, of Villanova blocks a 3-point shot bY Mackenzie Hare of Marquette to preserve their 66-63 victory on Jan. 17, 2024 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Christina Dalce, right, of Villanova spreads her arms as Kaitlyn Orihel rushes towards her. Dalce blocked two of Marquette last shot attempts to preserve their 66-63 victory on Jan. 17, 2024 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Christina Dalce, right, of Villanova spreads her arms as she is hugged by Kaitlyn Orihel. Dalce blocked two of Marquette last shot attempts to preserve their 66-63 victory on Jan. 17, 2024 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Christina Dalce, right, of Villanova is hugged by Bella Runyan, left, and Maddie Webber after blocking two 3-point shots by Marquette to preserve their 66-63 victory on Jan. 17, 2024 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Christina Dalce, 2nd from right, of Villanova is hugged by L-R: Maggie Grant, Maddie Webber, and Bella Runyan after blocking two 3-point shots by Marquette to preserve their 66-63 victory on Jan. 17, 2024 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Christina Dalce, center, of Villanova is mobbed by teammates. Dalce blocked two of Marquette last shot attempts to preserve their 66-63 victory on Jan. 17, 2024 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
Christina Dalce of Villanova is mobbed by teammates. Dalce blocked two of Marquette last shot attempts to preserve their 66-63 victory on Jan. 17, 2024 at the Finneran Pavilion at Villanova University.Read moreCharles Fox / Staff Photographer
De-FENSE
Defense is one of Villanova’s greatest strengths, and the Wildcats are going to need that on Saturday. While the Wildcats are giving up just 57.9 points per game, Creighton averages 74.7 points while featuring plenty of depth.
The Bluejays are led by senior Emma Ronsiek, who averages 18.6 points followed by Lauren Jensen and Morgan Maly, who also average in double figures.
The Wildcats are averaging 16 points off turnovers compared with 9.2 for their opponents, and when it comes to rebounding, Villanova excels on both ends of the floor. With 97 offensive and 87 defensive boards, junior Christina Dalce is leading the Wildcats with 10.8 rebounds per game, making her the 15th-leading rebounder in the nation. She’s also in the top 25 nationwide in blocks at 2.2.
If there’s one aspect of Villanova’s offense that could use some help, it’s shooting from beyond the arc. The Wildcats are making just 6.2 threes per game, shooting them at a 30.2% clip.
They might be able to find success in the paint, but against a tough Creighton offense that makes 9.3 threes per game, the Wildcats need to be willing to take shots from deep.
