The Official Newsletter of Villanova Athletics

Good morning, Nova Nation! Former Wildcat Jalen Brunson has been named a 2025 NBA All-Star starter!

What else is going on in Nova Nation?

🏀 Women’s basketball wins
🎽 Track & field’s successful showing
🔷 And much more!

Starting Up is powered by our friends at Jeff D’Ambrosio Auto Group, a leading auto dealership serving Chester County and the surrounding communities since 1975.

🔼 Win In The Finn. The women’s basketball team defeated Xavier 67-52 on Saturday! The Wildcats started slow in the first but scored the first 12 points of the second quarter to take the lead. Jasmine Bascoe led the Wildcats with 25 points, while Maddie Webber scored 15 and Ryanne Allen scored a season-high 10 points. Denae Carter pulled down a season-high 14 rebounds. They’ll enjoy the week off before hosting Marquette on Sunday.

🔼  Photo Finish. The track & field team competed at the Penn 10 Elite over the weekend and produced some exciting finishes! Marco Langon dove across the finish line to win the mile with teammate Liam Murphy right by him. Langon had a lifetime best 3:54.60 time, while Murphy’s official time was 3:54.61. Bailey Habler and Devon Comber finished 1-2 in the 3K race.

The women’s team had impressive performances from the middle distance and distance runners. The meet brought out personal bests from Emma McGill and Emily Robinson in the mile, plus Rosie Shay had a great indoor debut in the 800 meters. In the field events, Alex Payne’s weight throw performance ranks fourth in the BIG EAST this season and ties for the tenth-longest throw in Villanova history.

🔼 Sweepin’ Weekend. The Wildcat water polo team swept their home tournament for the second-straight season! They went 4-0 at the Wildcat Invite with big wins over Gannon, Iona, Mount St. Mary’s and Mercyhurst. They outscored their opponents 62-23 across the weekend. Michael Gordon’s home career record improved to 12-1.

🔼 Double The W’s. The women’s swim & dive picked up two wins on Saturday! They defeated Duquesne 184.5-115.5 and West Virginia 160-140. They won the 200 medley relay with Alana Leen, Winnie Jalet, Anna Farley and Lainey Quinones clocking 1:42.95. Farley also won the 100 fly with teammate Arabella Lee behind her in second-place. Meghan Tiernan won the 200 IM with Farley placing third. Riley Kudlac won the 200 free and 50 free.

🔼 Road Woes. The men’s basketball team fell at 10th-ranked Marquette on Friday night, 87-74. Jordan Longino scored a career-high 27 points, adding five assists with just one turnover. Eric Dixon was smothered by Marquette defenders but still managed to score 18 points with nine rebounds. The Wildcats are off until Saturday when they host Creighton at the Wells Fargo Center.

🗣️ SPREAD THE WORD

Do you know a friend or family member who is a member of Nova Nation? Simply forward them this email and they can sign up to receive the newsletter by clicking the link below to subscribe. Good Morning, Nova Nation is sent every other weekday and is completely free!

📅 THE WEEK AHEAD

Friday 1/31

🏊 Swimming & Diving at Drexel
🎽 Track & Field at Penn State National Open

Saturday 2/1

🎽 Track & Field at Penn State National Open
🏊 Swimming & Diving hosts Sprintfest
🤽 Women’s Water Polo vs. Pacific @ 11:20 a.m.
🥍 Women’s Lacrosse at Delaware (Scrimmage) @ 12:00 p.m.
🏀 Men’s Basketball vs. Creighton at Wells Fargo Center @ 1:00 p.m. | FOX
🤽 Women’s Water Polo vs. Marist @ 3:20 p.m.

Sunday 2/2

🎾 Women’s Tennis vs. Lehigh @ 10:00 a.m.
🤽 Women’s Water Polo vs. Salem @ 11:00 a.m.
🏀 Women’s Basketball vs. Marquette @ 2:00 p.m. | Watch
🤽 Women’s Water Polo at Brown @ 3:30 p.m.

Have a great Monday!