By Wendy Burke
Maddy Siegrist had 23 points and Lucy Olsen 11 points and 11 rebounds as No. 15 Villanova beat visiting Providence 67-50.
Villanova (25-5, 16-3 Big East) moved a half-game behind UConn (24-5, 16-2) for the top spot in the conference standings. The Wildcats close the regular season at Seton Hall on Monday. .
Siegrist, the national scoring leader at 29.1 points per game, shot just 8 of 26, including 0 of 6 from 3-point range. Siegrist and fellow senior Brooke Mullin were honored prior to tipoff in Villanova’s final regular season home game.
Christina Dalce added 11 points for Villanova (25-5, 16-3 Big East), which has won 12 straight road games against Providence. Mullin finished with six points and seven assists.
Villanova shot 50% from the field in the first half and led 37-18. Siegrist went 2 of 9 for eight points in 17 minutes. The Wildcats finished the game at 40% and Providence shot 33% overall with 18 turnovers.
Olivia Olsen scored 15 points and Grace Efosa added 13 for Providence (13-17, 4-15). Janai Crooms scored 12.
Siegrist had 29 points and nine rebounds in a 79-54 win over Providence on Dec. 4.
