In the first round of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, No. 10 Villanova lost to No. 7 Texas Tech, 57-52. Despite a strong start by Villanova's Kelsey Joens, who scored 12 of their 14 points in the first quarter, the Wildcats couldn't maintain momentum. The game remained closely contested, but Texas Tech surged in the fourth quarter to secure the victory. Villanova ends their season with a 25-8 record, while Texas Tech moves to 26-7.

By the Numbers
  • Villanova shot 37.0% from the field (20-of-54) and 24.0% from three-point range (6-of-25).
  • Texas Tech shot 43.9% from the field (18-of-41) and 46.7% from three-point range (7-of-15).
Yes, But

Texas Tech's strong free-throw performance (93.3%, 14-of-15) contrasted with Villanova's shooting woes from beyond the arc, highlighting differing execution under pressure.

State of Play
  • Villanova led 14-13 after the first quarter but struggled to maintain scoring in key stretches.
  • The Wildcats had a lead heading into the final quarter but allowed a 10-2 run from Texas Tech that shifted momentum.
What's Next

As Villanova reflects on their season, the focus will be on improving shooting consistency and closing out games more effectively in the future tournaments.

Bottom Line

The loss underscores Villanova's need for better execution in crucial moments, especially against teams that capitalize on free throws and defensive lapses.