INDIANAPOLIS (Interstat) — Jasmine Bascoe scored 27 points and Villanova used a dominant third-quarter surge to pull away from Butler for a 67-57 victory in a Big East women’s basketball game Wednesday night at Hinkle Fieldhouse.

The Wildcats, who entered the game with an 88.7% win probability according to Interstat’s ELO system, improved to 18-5 overall. Butler fell to 9-14.

The most important stretch of the game came immediately after halftime. Trailing 28-24 at the break after a sluggish first half, Villanova erupted for 24 points in the third quarter while holding the Bulldogs to just 13. The Wildcats opened the period on a 15-5 run, turning their deficit into a 39-33 lead they would not relinquish. The run was fueled by defensive pressure, which forced six Butler turnovers in the quarter, and efficient offense, with Bascoe and Kennedy Henry combining for 14 points in the period.

Bascoe, a 5-foot-7 guard from Milton, Canada, was the catalyst throughout. She played 36 minutes, adding five assists to her game-high 27 points. Her back-to-back 3-pointers during the third-quarter run, the second off a steal she created, were pivotal in shifting the game’s momentum decisively in Villanova’s favor.

Brynn McCurry added 12 points and Kennedy Henry also scored 12 for the Wildcats, who swept the regular-season series against Butler after a 73-65 home win on Jan. 18.

Butler was led by McKenna Johnson’s 16 points. Lily Zeinstra contributed 11 points and Mallory Miller added 10 for the Bulldogs.

The game was a defensive struggle early. Villanova led 16-19 after a first quarter that featured five ties, but then managed only eight points in the second quarter as Butler built its four-point halftime advantage. The Wildcats’ offense, however, found its rhythm after the break, shooting 50% from the field in the third quarter while their defense tightened.

A key statistical disparity was points off turnovers. Villanova’s aggressive defense forced 16 Butler turnovers, converting them into 22 points. Conversely, the Wildcats committed only six turnovers, leading to just two points for the Bulldogs.

Villanova also won the possession battle, scoring on 67 possessions compared to Butler’s 65, and posted a 100.3 offensive rating against Butler’s 88.0. The Wildcats dished out 11 assists to Butler’s five and recorded 11 steals.

Butler held an advantage in points in the paint, 34-26, and shot a higher percentage from the field overall, 46.9% to 42.2%. However, Villanova’s ability to generate extra possessions and capitalize on mistakes proved decisive.

The announced attendance was 1,176.

Villanova next hosts Georgetown on Saturday. Butler travels to face top-ranked Connecticut, also on Saturday.