Good Morning, Nova Nation 2/11: Connect Four

Perkins Leads 'Cats To Fourth Straight Win, Taking Down Marquette At Home

February 11, 2026

The Official Newsletter of Villanova Athletics

Good Morning, Nova Nation. When the ‘Cats needed him most, Perk delivered. 

What all do we have in today’s edition? Check it out below!

🏀 Connect Four
📈 Chart Climbers
🥍 Tiger Takedown
🔷 And much more!

Tommy’s Tavern + Tap is proud to be an Official Partner of Villanova Athletics!

🔼 Connect Four. With their team down nine points with just over six minutes to play, the backcourt duo of Tyler Perkins and Acaden Lewis delivered.

Perkins and Lewis led the furious rally in the final minutes as the Villanova men’s basketball team extended its win streak to four straight with a 77-74 victory over Marquette.

Perkins finished with 22 points, eight rebounds and three assists while Lewis added 15 points and five assists.

Eleven (11) home wins equal $11,000 for Bringing Hope Home. United Healthcare will continue to donate $1,000 to Bringing Hope Home for every home win this season! The more we win, the more Bringing Hope Home wins thanks to the generosity of United Healthcare. United Healthcare is a proud partner of Villanova Athletics.

In his two seasons at Villanova, how many times has Tyler Perkins now scored 20+ points in a game?

Got a guess?

Scroll to the bottom to see if you know your stuff!

🔼 Tiger Takedown. It was total team effort for the Villanova women’s lacrosse team, who dominated Towson, 15-6, in its season opener on Monday afternoon.

Bella Piselli and Kathryn Monaco, who scored her first career points in the game, both led with a hat trick for Villanova, while Madison Freeman, Leslie Iorio and Elena Torres (two goals, two assists) all picked up a pair of goals in the contest.

Defensively, Kate O'Neill tied a program single-game record in her debut collegiate game with six caused turnovers in addition to six ground balls.

🔼 Chart Climbers. After taking down #7 Penn State on the road to open the 2026 season, the Villanova men’s lacrosse team quickly climbed the charts this week, earning a spot at #14 in this week’s national polls.

In addition, a trio of Wildcats earned BIG EAST weekly accolades following the upset victory. First-year midfielder Kessy Cox was selected as the BIG EAST Freshman of the Week while Nick Lucchesi and Jake Melchionni picked up Honor Roll mentions.

🔼 Sweepin’ On Through. Winners of five of its past six outings, the Villanova women’s hoops team garnered even more praise this week as the ‘Cats swept the Big Five Weekly awards yet again.

Red-hot Jasmine Bascoe was named the Player of the Week, while Kennedy Henry was named the Rookie of the Week. Bascoe also earned a spot on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll.

The ‘Cats return to action tonight on the road at Xavier. Tip-off is set for 6:30 pm.

🔼 Five For Five-Five. For the fifth time this season, Acaden Lewis was named the BIG EAST Freshman of the Week.

Lewis delivered one of the 2025-26 BIG EAST season's most memorable performances after pouring in a season-high 26 points and six assists in a road win in his hometown of Washington, D.C.

For the two games last week, Lewis averaged 18.5 points and 6.0 assists per contest.

In addition, Duke Brennan averaged a double-double (12.5 ppg, 11.5 rpg) to earn a spot on the Weekly Honor Roll.

🔼 Young Gun. Now that’s how you make a first impression.

In her collegiate debut, Villanova women’s lacrosse freshman Kate O’Neill tied a program record with six caused turnovers against Towson, and in turn was named the BIG EAST Freshman of the Week.

What’s Ahead is brought to you by our friends at Visit Delco, the #1 source for information on all there is to see and do in Delaware County, PA. Find fantastic places to stay, incredible food and drink, and music and art—and you may even find a few surprises.

Wednesday, February 11
🍻 Quizzo at Ship Bottom Brewery (Swarthmore)
🏀 Women’s Basketball at Xavier @ 6:30pm

Friday, February 13
🍷 Grace Winery Tasting Room Open
🥎 Softball vs. #19 Virginia Tech @ 10am (Charlotte, N.C.)
🥎 Softball at Charlotte @ 3pm
⚾️ Baseball at Florida International @ 6pm
👟 Women’s Track & Field at Tiger Paw Invitational (Clemson, S.C.)
👟 Men’s Track & Field at David Hemery Valentine Invitational (Boston, Mass.)
👟 Women’s Track & Field at Husky Classic (Seattle, Wash.)
👟 Track & Field at Indoor Pre-Nationals (Virginia Beach, Va.)

Saturday, February 14
⛸️ Glice Skating at Linvilla Orchards
🤽 Women’s Water Polo vs. Occidental College @ 10am (Lewisburg, Pa.)
🥎 Softball vs. #19 Virginia Tech @ 10am (Charlotte, N.C.)
🥍 Women’s Lacrosse at #10 Navy @ 11am
🥍 Men’s Lacrosse vs. Saint Joseph’s @ 12pm
🎾 Men’s Tennis at Navy @ 12pm
🎾 Women’s Tennis at Bucknell @ 12pm
🥎 Softball vs. Michigan State @ 12:30pm (Charlotte, N.C.)
🏀 Men’s Basketball at Creighton @ 2:30pm l FOX
⚾️ Baseball at Florida International @ 3pm
🤽 Women’s Water Polo vs. Saint Francis @ 4:40pm (Lewisburg, Pa.)
👟 Women’s Track & Field at Tiger Paw Invitational (Clemson, S.C.)
👟 Men’s Track & Field at David Hemery Valentine Invitational (Boston, Mass.)
👟 Women’s Track & Field at Husky Classic (Seattle, Wash.)
👟 Track & Field at Indoor Pre-Nationals (Virginia Beach, Va.)

Sunday, February 15
🎨 The Lunar Project at the Main Line Art Center
🎾 Women’s Tennis at Bucknell @ 10am
🤽 Women’s Water Polo vs. Siena @ 11:40am (Lewisburg, Pa.)
🎾 Men’s Tennis at George Mason @ 12pm
⚾️ Baseball at Florida International @ 12pm
🥎 Softball at Charlotte @ 12:30pm
🏀 Women’s Basketball at Creighton @ 5pm l TruTV

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