A night after taking down #2 Kansas, the Villanova Wildcats were right back at it, as they faced #23 Iowa in the Battle 4 Atlantis Championship game. After overcoming early struggles, the Wildcats made a charge in the second half to force the game to overtime, where they would win by a final score of 88-83.
Villanova jumped out to a 10-4 lead to start the game, but Iowa would respond. After pulling within two points at 12-10, the Hawkeyes would go on a 23-6 run to take a 33-18 lead with under seven minutes remaining in the half. The Wildcats would narrow the deficit just a bit before half, heading to the locker room down 42-33.
A night after such a big win, Villanova seemed drained early, turning the ball over 12 times in the first half and making just 4 of 10 from the charity stripe. JayVaughn Pinkston led the way for the Wildcats in the first half, scoring 10 points, while Mike Gesell led the Hawkeyes with 10.
Midway through the second half the Wildcats would begin to make a resurgence, eventually tying the game at 57 apiece before taking 64-57 lead on the strength of a 12-0 run. Down one with 31 seconds remaining, Roy Devyn Marble stepped to the line for the Hawkeyes, making just one of two shots to tie the game at 72-72 and force it to overtime.
The Wildcats took a 78-75 lead on a Dylan Ennis 3-pointer with 4:05 remaining in overtime, one they would not relinquish, as they held on to win 88-83.
Villanova was led in the contest by James Bell, who scored 20 points and grabbed 9 rebounds on his way to being named tournament MVP. JayVaughn Pinkston and Josh Hart scored 14 apiece, while Ryan Arcidiacono and Kris Jenkins added 13 and 12 respectively, in a balanced effort from the Wildcats.
With the win, Villanova improves to 7-0 on the season, including two wins over ranked teams in consecutive nights. While the Battle 4 Atlantis trophy is nice, this team has much higher aspirations, and with a deep and talented lineup, could very well bring home more trophies this season.
Villanova will next face the Penn Quakers on December 4 at the Pavilion.
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
A night after such a big win, Villanova seemed drained early, turning the ball over 12 times in the first half and making just 4 of 10 from the charity stripe. JayVaughn Pinkston led the way for the Wildcats in the first half, scoring 10 points, while Mike Gesell led the Hawkeyes with 10.
Midway through the second half the Wildcats would begin to make a resurgence, eventually tying the game at 57 apiece before taking 64-57 lead on the strength of a 12-0 run. Down one with 31 seconds remaining, Roy Devyn Marble stepped to the line for the Hawkeyes, making just one of two shots to tie the game at 72-72 and force it to overtime.
The Wildcats took a 78-75 lead on a Dylan Ennis 3-pointer with 4:05 remaining in overtime, one they would not relinquish, as they held on to win 88-83.
Villanova was led in the contest by James Bell, who scored 20 points and grabbed 9 rebounds on his way to being named tournament MVP. JayVaughn Pinkston and Josh Hart scored 14 apiece, while Ryan Arcidiacono and Kris Jenkins added 13 and 12 respectively, in a balanced effort from the Wildcats.
With the win, Villanova improves to 7-0 on the season, including two wins over ranked teams in consecutive nights. While the Battle 4 Atlantis trophy is nice, this team has much higher aspirations, and with a deep and talented lineup, could very well bring home more trophies this season.
Villanova will next face the Penn Quakers on December 4 at the Pavilion.
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
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