Gedaka paces Villanova in season opener

Mary Gedaka made sure Villanova got off to a good start.

The 6-1 junior forward scored eight of her game-high 18 points in the first quarter to lead the Wildcats to a 59-41 victory over Hartford in the season opener at the Pavilion Wednesday night.

Gedaka scored Villanova’s first six points, but the Wildcats needed to run off the final 10 points to take a 16-11 lead into the second quarter. The Hawks never got closer than three points and that was in the first minute of the second period.

Hartford did cut the deficit to 42-37 early in the final period, but the Wildcats went on a 13-0 run to put the game away.

Gedaka shot 7-for-10 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free throw line. She also had six rebounds and two assists. Jannah Tucker added 12 points, Kelly Jekot pitched in with 10 points, three rebounds and two blocked shots, while Adrianna Hahn contributed eight points, four assists and three steals. Bridget Herlihy grabbed 10 rebounds for the Wildcats, who don’t play again until they visit Lehigh on Nov. 16.

Sierra DeCosta scored 16 points and Ella Awobajo added 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Hawks.