PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — For the first time since 2003, the Villanova University women's basketball team has advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
Friday afternoon, the Wildcats will match up with Miami down in Greenville, South Carolina.
The Wildcats beat Cleveland State and Florida Gulf Coast in the first two rounds at home. Villanova brings a 30-6 record into this game against the Hurricanes.
Villanova is led by the nation's leading scorer, senior Maddy Siegrist, who was just named a Naismith Player of the Year finalist.
She said she realizes what her team is doing is special.
"Villanova has such a strong tradition of basketball success, so just to be able to carry it on and create your own part and be in it forever is something this whole team knows, and we're just definitely gonna be grateful for that opportunity," Siegrist said.
She is averaging more than 29 points a game this season. She scored 35 and 31 points in the first two tourney wins over Cleveland State and Florida Gulf Coast, respectively.
Miami, out of the ACC, is 21-12. The Hurricanes are coming off an upset of the region's top seed, Indiana, in the second round.
Villanova is in the Sweet 16 for the first time in 20 years. The 2003 team made it through to the Elite Eight.
Friday's matchup starts at 2:30 p.m.
