Villanova welcomed the DePaul Blue Demons to the Pavilion this afternoon, as the sixth-ranked Wildcats looked for their fifth straight victory. DePaul would keep things respectable in the first half, but a deep Villanova squad proved to be overwhelming for the Blue Demons in the second half, as the Wildcats won 88-62.
DePaul would lead 5-2 after five minutes of play, and find themselves tied at 16 with the Wildcats with 8:28 remaining in the first half before Villanova began to gain its footing. The Wildcats would close the half on a 17-8 run to head to the break up 33-24, as Daniel Ochefu closed out the half on a strong note.
Ochefu and Ryan Arcidiacono led the way for the Wildcats in the half, scoring 9 points apiece. Despite finding themselves ahead at the break, there would be plenty to improve on in the second half, as Villanova shot 40 percent from the field and just 20 percent (3-15) from beyond the arc in the first half.
The Wildcats would distance themselves from the Blue Demons in the second half, outscoring DePaul 55-38 in the half on their way to a rout. Villanova would have much better shot selection in the half and JayVaughn Pinkston and Darrun Hilliard would finally make some shots after both failed to make a single shot in the first half.
Behind improved shooting and sound ball handling, the Wildcats surged in the second half, winning by a final score of 88-62 to pick up their 16th win of the season.
Five Wildcats would finish in double figures in the contest, as James Bell led all scorers with 17 points, while also grabbing 8 rebounds. Daniel Ochefu and Ryan Arcidiacono finished with 14 apiece and Darrun Hilliard 11, while Josh Hart added 13 off the bench.
The win was the fifth straight for the Wildcats, as they improved to 16-1 overall and 5-0 in the Big East this season. Villanova will be back in action on Monday when they welcome the #20 Creighton Bluejays to the Pavilion.
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
Ochefu and Ryan Arcidiacono led the way for the Wildcats in the half, scoring 9 points apiece. Despite finding themselves ahead at the break, there would be plenty to improve on in the second half, as Villanova shot 40 percent from the field and just 20 percent (3-15) from beyond the arc in the first half.
The Wildcats would distance themselves from the Blue Demons in the second half, outscoring DePaul 55-38 in the half on their way to a rout. Villanova would have much better shot selection in the half and JayVaughn Pinkston and Darrun Hilliard would finally make some shots after both failed to make a single shot in the first half.
Behind improved shooting and sound ball handling, the Wildcats surged in the second half, winning by a final score of 88-62 to pick up their 16th win of the season.
Five Wildcats would finish in double figures in the contest, as James Bell led all scorers with 17 points, while also grabbing 8 rebounds. Daniel Ochefu and Ryan Arcidiacono finished with 14 apiece and Darrun Hilliard 11, while Josh Hart added 13 off the bench.
The win was the fifth straight for the Wildcats, as they improved to 16-1 overall and 5-0 in the Big East this season. Villanova will be back in action on Monday when they welcome the #20 Creighton Bluejays to the Pavilion.
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat