Canada’s Jasmine Bascoe propels Villanova to win over St. John’s

Canadian rookies continue to shine in NCAA women’s basketball.

Villanova’s Jasmine Bascoe has been one of the top newcomers, and she delivered an excellent performance on Saturday.

The five-foot-seven guard, from Milton, Ont., scored a game-high 24 points on 10-of-12 shooting from the field as the Wildcats (7-6) beat visiting St. John’s 71-57.

Bascoe, who added six rebounds and two assists, has scored in double figures in all but one game this season.

Toronto’s Lashae Dwyer led St. John’s (10-2) with 12 points.

“Jas was a great player at both ends of the floor. She had somebody in her shorts all game but it was an impressive outing by a freshman in her first Big East game,” Wildcats coach Denise Dillon told the Villanova television broadcast.

“She’s a well-rounded player. She’s a student of the game.”

Fellow Canadian rookies Syla Swords (Michigan), Toby Fournier (Duke), Avery Howell (USC) and Delaney Gibb (BYU) also all are playing major roles for their respective teams.

Bascoe’s brother, Josh, also plays NCAA Division I ball at Bucknell. Their father, Shane, was a top basketball player at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ont.