Women's Basketball Game Notes vs. Villanova

GAME INFO VS. VILLANOVA | SUNDAY, FEB. 23 | ALUMNI HALL | PROVIDENCE, R.I. | 12:00 PM | FS1
*Pregame Senior / Graduate Student ceremony begins at 11:30 a.m.*
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FRIARS HOST VILLANOVA ON SENIOR DAY... The Providence College women's basketball team will host Villanova in its final regular-season home game on Sunday, Feb. 23 at Alumni Hall in Providence, R.I. Tip-off is slated for 12:00 p.m. and prior to the game, the program will honor 11 members of the program: seven seniors, three graduate students and one graduate assistant. The ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m.

FAMILIAR FOE... The Friars and Villanova Wildcats have met 85 times, marking the most games against a single opponent in Providence College women's basketball history.

FRIARS VS. WILDCATS ALL-TIME... Providence and Villanova have met 85 times during the history of the two women's basketball programs. The Wildcats lead the all-time series, 56-29. Sunday's game marks the first and only meeting between the two teams during the 2024-25 season. Providence has compiled a 5-1 record vs. Villanova all-time in overtime games.

WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR... Providence and Villanova split the season series last year (2023-24) with each team winning on its home court. On Jan. 24, 2024, the Friars claimed a 82-76 win in overtime at Alumni Hall. Villanova exacted revenge on its home court with a 68-58 win at Finneran Pavilion on Feb. 21, 2024.

FRIARS AND WILDCATS ALL-TIME AT ALUMNI HALL... The Friars and Wildcats have met 40 times at Alumni Hall in Providence, R.I. Providence leads the series on its home court, 22-18.

FRIARS RALLIED FROM 15-POINT HALFTIME DEFICIT IN LAST MEETING AGAINST 'NOVA AT ALUMNI HALL... In the last meeting between Providence and Villanova at Alumni Hall, the Friars rallied from a 15-point halftime deficit to stun the Wildcats in overtime, 82-76. Grace Efosa (29) and Marta Morales Romero (26) combined to score 55 points. Olivia Olsen added a double-double on 11 points and 13 rebounds and Brynn Farrell rounded out the list of double-digit scorers, with 11 points. The Friars shot 23-percent from the field in the first half and flipped the switch to shoot 69-percent in the decisive second half. Maddie Webber paced four Wildcats in double digits with 20 points. Lucy Olsen added 18.

LEADING AT THE HALF... The Friars have held the lead or have been tied with their opponent at halftime in 18 of their 29 games and have posted a 9-9 record in those contests. The Friars are 2-9 when trailing at the half. The Friars' two victories when trailing at halftime came against URI on Dec. 4 and Xavier on Jan. 15.

DOWN TO THE WIRE... Fifteen (15) of the Friars' 29 games have been decided by single digits. The Friars have compiled an 8-7 record in those games.

FRIARS IN OVERTIME... Providence has posted a 2-1 record in overtime games this season, including a 1-0 mark during BIG EAST play. The Friars lost to Columbia, 77-69, in overtime on Nov. 8. Providence has earned OT victories against Brown (87-81) on Dec. 7 and St. John's (59-52) on Jan. 1. In two seasons as head coach at Providence College, Erin Batth has compiled a 3-1 record in overtime games (2-0 in BIG EAST).

1,200+ POINTS / 850+ REBOUNDS... Senior forward Olivia Olsen is one of four players in program history to record more than 1,200 points and 850 rebounds in their career at Providence. Olsen enters Sunday's game against Villanova with 1,265 points and 877 boards.

COMING ALIVE DOWN THE STRETCH... Olivia Olsen has played well for the Friars, of late, reaching double figures in the scoring column in nine of the last 12 games and adding five double-doubles and a total of six double-digit rebounding games during that stretch. She also posted two 20+ point games in that span, marking the third and fourth of her career. During the last 12 games, she has averaged 13.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.4 blocks per game, while shooting 56-percent from the field (63-112).

GRACE EFOSA REACHES 1,000-POINT MILESTONE... Grace Efosa recorded her 1,000th career point on Jan. 29 at St. John's. She needed 12 points to eclipse the milestone and finished the game with 13. Efosa is the 39th player in program history to achieve the feat, and the second player this season, joining Olivia Olsen. Efosa is currently tied for 30th all-time at PC in career scoring with 1,077 points.

GRACE EFOSA PACES THE FRIARS' OFFENSE... Grace Efosa is averaging a team-best 13.5 points through 29 games this season. She has reached double digits in the scoring column during 20 of 29 games, including a career-best streak of 11-straight games. Efosa also leads the team in 20-point games (six), including two 27-point performances vs. Brown (Dec. 7) and DePaul (Feb. 6).

OLIVIA OLSEN SCORES 1,000th POINT... Olivia Olsen scored her 1,000th career point on Nov. 17 in the Friars' game at Boston College. She achieved the feat with 7:17 remaining in the fourth quarter. Through 123 career games, Olsen owns 1,265 career points and ranks 17th on the Friars' all-time scoring list.

DOUBLE DIGITS... Nine of the 14 active players on the Friars' roster have scored in double figures at least once this season through 29 games. Grace Efosa has reached double figures a team-best 20 times. Olivia Olsen ranks second on the team double-digit scoring games, with 14.

CLEANING THE GLASS... Olivia Olsen is the top-returning rebounder in the BIG EAST from a season ago. During the 2023-24 season, Olsen averaged 8.5 rebounds per game. Through 29 games this season, Olsen is averaging 8.4 rebounds per contest, which ranks second in the BIG EAST. Olsen also owns 12 double-digit rebounding games this season, which leads the BIG EAST. Eight of her 12 double-digit rebound games have come during BIG EAST play.

TOP-FIVE IN CAREER REBOUNDS... Olivia Olsen ranks fourth all-time in career rebounding at Providence with 877 boards. She recently jumped ahead of Teya Wright '12, who completed her career with 867 boards.

20-POINT GAMES... Grace Efosa has eclipsed the 20-point mark this season a team-best six times (most recently on Feb. 6 vs. DePaul with 27 points). She is one of 11 players in the BIG EAST to record six-or-more 20 point games this season. Olivia Olsen (2) and Brynn Farrell (1) are the only other Friars to score 20+ points during the 2024-25 campaign.

Grace Efosa's 20-Point Games (has 10 in her career)

20 - at Vermont (11/12/24)

22 - at Dayton (11/21/24)

21 - vs. Wisconsin (11/29/24)

27 - vs. Brown (12/7/24)

20 - at Seton Hall (12/21/24)

27 - vs. DePaul (2/6/25)

Olivia Olsen's 20-Point Games (has four in her career)

21 - vs. Xavier (1/15/25)

22 - vs. Creighton (2/2/25)

Brynn Farrell's 20-Point Games (has four in her career)

27 - vs. Brown (12/7/24)

DOUBLE-TROUBLE... Two Friars have recorded double-doubles this season. Olivia Olsen leads the Friars and ranks third in the BIG EAST, with nine: Mercy (12 pts/10 rebs), Boston College (10 pts /18 rebs), Wisconsin (10 pts/11rebs), Merrimack (16 pts/11rebs), Xavier (21pts/10rebs), St. John's (14pts/11rebs), Creighton (22pts/10rebs), DePaul (18pts/15rebs) and Marquette (17pts/10rebs). Emily Archibald recorded the first double-double of her career on Nov. 30 against San Diego State (10 pts/11 rebs).

BRYNN FARRELL CASHES IN AT THE LINE... Brynn Farrell leads the Friars in free-throw percentage at 90-percent (72-80). Farrell has been reliable at the line throughout her career, shooting 83-percent (230-276). She has converted 20-consecutive free throws spanning the last 10 games. The streak began on Jan. 15 vs. Xavier.

NINE DIFFERENT FRIARS CRACK THE STARTING LINE-UP... Nine different Friars have cracked the starting line-up this season. Graduate student Grace Efosa is the only player on the roster to start all 29 games. Olivia Olsen has started 28 games this season.

OLIVIA OLSEN HAULS IN CAREER-HIGH 18 BOARDS AT BOSTON COLLEGE... On Nov. 17, Olivia Olsen hauled in a career-high 18 rebounds vs. Boston College. Her 18 boards mark the highest single-game rebounding total by a BIG EAST player this season. Additionally, Olsen's 18 boards were four shy of the Providence College single-game record (22), set by Britt King '86 on Jan. 2, 1985 against Pittsburgh.

VETERAN SQUAD... Providence returned 11 players from last year's roster, including six players who saw extensive time in the starting line-up. The veteran roster is comprised of three graduate students, seven seniors, two sophomores and three freshmen.

OLIVIA OLSEN AND GRACE EFOSA NAMED TO PRESEASON ALL-BIG EAST TEAM... Olivia Olsen and Grace Efosa were featured on the 2024-25 Preseason All-BIG EAST Team, which was released at the league's annual media day on Oct. 23 at Madison Square Garden. Olivia Olsen, who earned All-BIG EAST Second Team honors last season, led the team in scoring (13.7 ppg), rebounding (8.5 rpg), blocked shots (1.7 bpg), field-goal percentage (.526) and double-doubles (12). Efosa finished second on the team in scoring (12.7 ppg) and rebounding (5.5 rpg) and added 1.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game. The Friars are one of three teams with multiple Preseason All-BIG EAST selections, joining UConn and Creighton.

FRIARS PICKED TO FINISH THIRD IN BIG EAST PRESEASON COACHES POLL... The Providence College women's basketball team was picked to finish third in the 2024-25 BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll, released at the league's annual media day at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Oct. 23.

GRADUATE TRANSFER MACKAYLA SCARLETT JOINS FRIARS AFTER FOUR-YEAR CAREER AT BIG EAST FOE XAVIER... Guard MacKayla Scarlett joined the Friars' roster as a graduate student after an impressive four-year career at BIG EAST foe Xavier (2020-24). She led Xavier in scoring in back-to-back seasons, averaging 10.9 points in 2022-23 and 13.9 points per game in 2023-24. As a senior, Scarlett played 22 games and appeared in the starting line-up 19 times, while averaging a team-high 32.9 minutes per game. In addition to her 13.9 points per game, she also contributed 1.8 steals and 1.6 assists per game.

OLIVIA OLSEN NAMED TO ALL-BIG EAST SECOND TEAM... Olivia Olsen was named to the All-BIG EAST Second Team at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season. It marked the first post-season honor of Olsen's career and she is one of 23 Friars to have claimed All-BIG EAST honors a total of 36 times during the program's 50-year history. Olsen led the Friars in scoring (13.7 ppg), rebounding (8.5 rpg), blocked shots (1.7 bpg), field-goal percentage (.526) and double-doubles (12). She played 32 of the Friars' 34 games and paced the team in scoring 18 times and rebounding on 19 occasions.

GRACE EFOSA BECOMES FIRST FRIAR SINCE 1993 TO CLAIM BIG EAST ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM HONORS... Grace Efosa was named to the BIG EAST All-Tournament Team at the conclusion of the league's 2024 Championship Game, held at Mohegan Sun Arena last March. Efosa became the first Friar to earn All-Tournament Team accolades since 1993, when Lucie Fontanella and Sonya Lewis were recognized. In two tournament games, Efosa averaged 18.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals per contest. She shot 52-percent from the field (13-25), including 50-percent from three-point territory (2-4). Efosa also converted 8-10 attempts from the charity stripe. Efosa recorded 13 points, five boards, two assists and two steals in the Friars' victory over Butler in the First Round on March 8. She followed with 23 points, eight rebounds, one assist and one steal in the Quarterfinals vs. top-seeded and ninth-ranked UConn on March 9. Efosa shot 57.1-percent from the field versus the Huskies and connected on 7-9 free-throw attempts.

BLOCK BUSTER... Olivia Olsen has recorded 53 blocked shots, in each of the last two seasons. Her 53 blocks is tied for the third-highest single-season total in program history. The single-season record for blocks at Providence was set by Mary Ann McCoy in 1977-78, with 68. Olsen matched her career high in blocked shots on two occasions vs. Sacred Heart and Georgetown (six). Through 29 games in 2024-25, Olsen has recorded a team-best 42 blocked shots (1.5 bpg), which ranks second in the BIG EAST.

Providence College Single-Season Blocks Leaders (50+)

69 - Mary Ann McCoy (1977-78)

57 – Monika Roberts (1999-00)

53 – Olivia Olsen (2023-24)

53 – Olivia Olsen (2022-23)

53 – Mary Baskerville (2018-19)

52 – Andrea Mangum (1990-91)

51 – Mary Baskerville (2019-20)

OLIVIA OLSEN IS ONE OF TWO PLAYERS TO RECORD 50+ BLOCKS IN MULTIPLE SEASONS... Olivia Olsen became the second player in program history to record 50-or-more blocked shots in multiple seasons, joining Mary Baskerville '22. Olsen recorded 53 blocked shots during each of the last two seasons. Baskerville recorded 53 blocks during the 2018-19 campaign and 51 in 2019-20. Olsen heads into Sunday's game against Villanova with a team-best 42 blocks this season. She is eight blocks shy of becoming the first player in program history to record 50+ blocks in three-consecutive seasons.

ERIN BATTH ERA... Erin Batth was hired as the 11th women's basketball coach in program history at Providence College on March 20, 2023. Batth arrived in Friartown with 17 years of NCAA Division I coaching experience, with her most recent stops coming at NC State (2018-22) and Michigan (2022-23). She has been part of five conference championships, eight NCAA Elite Eight appearances and three trips to the NCAA Sweet 16. She also served as an assistant coach at Liberty (2017-18), Georgia State (2014-17), Tennessee Tech (2012-14) and Towson (2010-12). Batth earned her first career win as a head coach on Nov. 7 vs. Hampton (76-46). She helped the Friars earn an bid to the Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) in her first year at Providence in 2023-24.

MARTA MORALES ROMERO NAMED TO BIG EAST WEEKLY HONOR ROLL... Marta Morales Romero was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on Feb. 10. It marked her first appearance on the league's honor roll this season and second overall. Morales Romero averaged 13.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steal per game during a 1-1 week. She also shot 52.4-percent from the field (11-21), including 40-percent beyond the arc (4-10). She recorded 12 points, six rebounds, three assists and one steal in a victory over DePaul on Feb. 6. Morales Romero closed the week with 15 points, five rebounds, one assist and one steal vs. No. 5/5 Connecticut.

GRACE EFOSA NAMED TO BIG EAST WEEKLY HONOR ROLL... Grace Efosa was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on Monday, Dec. 9, marking her second appearance of the season. Efosa averaged 22.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 1.0 steal in a 2-0 week for the Friars. She combined to shoot 58-percent (18-31) from the field against URI (6-12) and Brown (12-19). Efosa recorded 18 points, six rebounds and one assist against in a 48-45 win over Rhode Island on Dec. 4. She hit a pair of free throws with 6.8-seconds left in regulation to seal the victory. On Dec. 7, Efosa scored a season-high 27 points in an 87-81 OT victory against Brown. She added six rebounds, one assist and two steals.

GRACE EFOSA NAMED TO CANCUN CHALLENGE ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM... Grace Efosa was named to the Cancun Challenge All-Tournament Team. She averaged 15.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Her top scoring effort in the Cancun Challenge came against Big Ten foe Wisconsin (21 points).

GRACE EFOSA NAMED TO BIG EAST WEEKLY HONOR ROLL... Graduate student guard Grace Efosa was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on Monday, Nov. 25. The Preseason All-BIG EAST selection averaged 18.0 points per game on 14-19 shooting (.737) in two games last week. She also averaged 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steal per game for the Friars. At the charity stripe, Efosa shot a perfect 7-7 over the two-game span. Efosa scored a season-high 22 points on 8-10 shooting at Dayton on Nov. 21 to start the week. It marked her second 20+ point game of the season and sixth of her career. She followed with 14 points on 6-9 shooting against Delaware on Nov. 24.

OLIVIA OLSEN NAMED TO BIG EAST WEEKLY HONOR ROLL... Olivia Olsen was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll on Nov. 18, marking the sixth appearance of her career. The 2024-25 Preseason All-BIG EAST selection averaged 9.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 1.5 blocked shots last week. She also shot 53-percent from the floor overall (9-17). Olsen opened the week with eight points on 4-5 shooting at Vermont on Nov. 12 and added six boards, two blocked shots and one steal. On Nov. 17 at Boston College, Olsen recorded her second double-double of the season with 10 points and a career-high 18 rebounds. She also tallied two assists and one blocked shot. Nine of Olsen's 18 boards came off the offensive glass. Additionally, her 18 rebounds are the highest single-game total by a BIG EAST player this season.

ERIN BATTH RADIO SHOW ON 790 THE SCORE... The sixth and final episode of the Erin Batth Radio Show will air on Thursday, March 6 from 5:30-6:00 p.m. on 790 The Score. The show was developed via an existing partnership between Providence College Athletics, LEARFIELD'S Providence Friars Sports Properties and Cumulus Media Providence. The show is hosted by Mike Mancuso, who serves as the lead play-by-play voice of Friar women's basketball. Listen live online at http://www.thescore790.com or tune into 790 AM. The show also will be available via the Varsity Network app.

WHAT'S NEXT... The Friars conclude the regular-season schedule against Georgetown on Saturday, March 1 at McDonough Arena in Washington, D.C. Tip-off is slated for 12:00 p.m. on FS1

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Players Mentioned

Emily Archibald

Grace Efosa

Brynn Farrell

Marta Morales Romero

Olivia Olsen

MacKayla Scarlett

Providence College Athletics