College Basketball

Villanova WBB: Maddie Burke 3-Pointer Ends Saint Joseph’s Season in WBIT

David Malandra Jr photo
By
David Malandra Jr
Author photo
David Malandra Jr Sports Editor

I am Sports Reporter that covers Pro & College Sports in Philadelphia & any other events that are featured in Philadelphia

All posts by David Malandra Jr
Sports Editor

Published23 Mar 2025

Disclosure
We sometimes use affiliate links in our content, when clicking on those we might receive a commission – at no extra cost to you. By using this website you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy.
image (33)

Philadelphia: March Madness keeps going on: in Philadelphia, we got the madness of the Big 5 as the Saint Joseph’s Hawks would host the rival the Villanova Wildcats in the second round of the Women’s NIT from Hagan Arena on the Campus of Saint Joseph’s. Villanova made the second round off a win over Boston College while Saint Joseph’s booked the encounter off a win over Albany. Villanova defeated Saint Joseph’s in the WBIT to make the Final Four last year. Earlier this season, Villanova again defeated Saint Joseph’s.

The Winner will take on the winner of Seton Hall vs Portland in the next round.

Lineup:

Villanova:

Saint Joseph’s:

How the game went:

Early in the first quarter, Villanova would jump out to a 4-0 lead before Saint Joseph’s got on the board with two foul shots. Then the Hawks would take their first lead of the game at 6-4 and would take that out to a 16-7 lead.

The Wildcats would attempt to cut into the lead to end the quarter as the Hawks would take a 17-15 lead to the end of the 1st quarter.

In the second quarter, both Villanova & Saint Joseph’s would keep the pressure on each other and the game would be tied at 21 with 4:50 left before halftime. The game’s story was the defense by both teams as they each struggled from 3-point range: the Hawks were 0-4 while the Wildcats were 2-8.

Out of a timeout, Villanova would go on a 5-0 run and the Hawks called their own timeout with Villanova up 26-21 with 3:41 left in the half. Ultimately, Villanova would take a 33-28 lead into halftime.

Going into the second half, what could Saint Joseph’s do to get better shot attempts? The Hawks would begin the 3rd quarter with some nice passes and a 6-0 run for a 36-34 lead with 7:09 left.

 

The Wildcats would fight back to cut the Hawk’s lead to 40-39 late in the 3rd quarter. The Hawks would take a 43-42 lead at the end of the 3rd quarter.

Based on what we saw through the first 3 quarters of this game, it was going to come down to the fourth quarter.

oth Villanova & Saint Joseph’s would trade baskets. Defense down the stretch of this game would be the story. The Hawks would have a 6-point lead at 58-52 with 2:16 left and the crowd at Hagan Arena thought it was over for the Wildcats.

But not so fast – the Wildcats would go on a 6-0 run with back-to-back 3-pointers first by Maddie Webber:

Then, the shot that stunned the Hawks fans was a 3 by Maddie Burke for a 61-60 lead with just 4 seconds left.

 

The Hawks would get one last chance, but turn it over. Villanova would escape with a 62-60 win & keep their season alive.

 

This was one of those classic Big 5 games where both fans were involved from the start. Facing your rival for the right to move on always brings the best at out of everyone.

 

Postgame:

Villanova Coach Denise Dillion:

Saint Joseph’s Coach Cindy Griffin:

Final Numbers:

What is next:
With the win, Villanova moves on to the quarterfinals against Portland on Thursday at Finneran Pavilion. Saint Joseph’s season comes to end with a record of 24-10.