Gedaka’s ‘great,’ energetic play lifts Villanova over Red Storm

Villanova, PA — The St. John’s Red Storm went on a 10-0 run to open play Friday, but Villanova’s Mary Gedaka and Alex Louin made sure that history did not repeat itself.

“It’s the exact same thing as last game (on Jan. 14 when St. John’s won 70-64). We were down one with six minutes to go and we missed four open three-point shots. Today, it was the exact opposite. We were down one and we made four three-pointers in a row,” commented Villanova’s head coach Harry Perretta.

Gedaka hit a triple to tie the game at the beginning of the second, as the Wildcats were just getting started. Thanks to her strong play off the bench, Gedaka helped Villanova (19-5, 9-4) to a 69-52 win over St. John’s (14-11, 7-7) in a Big East Conference matchup at the Jake Nevin Field House.

Playing sixth woman for the Wildcats, Gedaka was a huge spark in the first two periods as she led both teams in scoring with 15 points at intermission. She went on to finish with a game-high 21 points on 8-for-10 shooting, pulled down five rebounds, and dished out three assists.

The sophomore lately has been a big lift off the bench for Villanova as she has scored in double figures in eight of the last nine games, and was the difference maker in Nova’s last game against Georgetown, as well.

“I try to bring a lot of energy when I am coming off the bench. I tried to take the opportunities that the defense gave me and give the ball to my teammates,” commented Gedaka after the win.

The 6-foot-1 sophomore is one of four Nova players to register a 20-point game this season, alongside Kelly Jekot, Adrianna Hahn, and senior Louin.

“She (Gedaka) was great today. She played like that up at St. John’s but the difference was we didn’t make any of the 3-point shots there,” said Perretta.

Villanova, down by one-point heading into the final period, went on an 8-0 run, highlighted by two Louin three-point field goals. Louin had only one three-point basket heading into the fourth, but the senior guard went 4-for-4 from the three-point line in the fourth quarter.

“Alex was the one that missed two of the three-point shots in the last game up at St. John’s,” said Perretta, “Today she made both.”

The six-foot guard ended with 15 points and 11 rebounds, going 5-for-5 from beyond the arc, while teammate Jannah Tucker added 13 points and 3 rebounds to round out three Wildcats who scored in double digits.

The Red Storm was led by Tiana Endgland (12 points), Maya Singleton who added her own 11, and Alisha Kebbe with 15 points.

This Sunday the Wildcats will stay home to face Seton Hall at 2 p.m. ET, while the Red Storm will travel to Georgetown to take on the Hoyas at 2 p.m. ET.