March 4, 2003

By CHRIS MORKIDES
Associated Press Writer

VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) - Katie Davis scored 26 points and Trish Juhline added 22 as No. 20 Villanova beat Providence 83-48 Tuesday.

Villanova (22-5, 12-4 Big East) earned the third seed in the upcoming Big East tournament with the victory. The Wildcats will play the winner of the Pittsburgh-Notre Dame matchup in the second round Sunday.

Providence (9-18, 3-13) will not participate in the Big East tournament, as Pitt earned the final spot with a win over Seton Hall.

Tuesday night's contest was a rout by intermission. Villanova, which went into the game leading the nation in 3-pointers made, went 12-for-21 from beyond the arc in the first half. Davis took nine shots in the half - all 3-pointers - and hit five for 15 points. Juhline scored 14 points in the first half and went 3-for-5 from beyond the arc.

The Wildcats had a 44-24 lead at the half.

Providence got 20 points from Jessica Simonds and 17 from Quiana Copeland.

Juhline, with five 3-pointers, passed the mark Providence's Julie Wheeler set in 1998 as the all-time Big East leader in 3-pointers made. Juhline has connected on 157 3-pointers in her four-year career, one more than Wheeler.