The Villanova Wildcats welcomed the Lafayette Leopards to The Pavilion Friday night to kick off the 2013-14 season. Returning four starters from a year ago and adding a nice mix off youth to the squad, the Wildcats enter this season with big expectations. Things were a bit rocky for Villanova in the season opener, but they walked away victorious in the end, winning 75-59.
Villanova had a terrible night shooting-wise, making just 38.9% of their shots and only 16.7% from 3-point range. Despite the cold shooting, the Wildcats went to the locker room up 29-27 at the half.
The game would remain close early in the second half, but then Villanova’s veterans took over and put the game away with the help of a 28-12 Wildcats run to end the game.
The Wildcats were led in the contest by James Bell, who scored a career-high 24 points while also grabbing 9 rebounds. The senior guard received help from Villanova’s other experienced players, as junior forward JayVaughn Pinkston scored 22 points in the contest, including going 10-14 from the charity stripe, and junior guard Darrun Hilliard added 13 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds.
Epitomizing the Wildcats shooting struggles on the evening was sophomore guard Ryan Arcidiacono, who failed to score until there was under two minutes to play in the contest. The skilled guard, who averaged 11.9 points per game in his freshman campaign, scored just 3 points all game, as he went 1-7 from the field, including 0-6 from three.
Despite the shooting struggles, the Wildcats showed their depth as they were able to still pull out a 16-point victory. With veteran leadership and multiple scoring threats, Villanova could do big things this season, as they proved they do not rely solely on one player.
The Wildcats will next play on November 13, as they welcome the Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers to the Pavilion.
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
The game would remain close early in the second half, but then Villanova’s veterans took over and put the game away with the help of a 28-12 Wildcats run to end the game.
The Wildcats were led in the contest by James Bell, who scored a career-high 24 points while also grabbing 9 rebounds. The senior guard received help from Villanova’s other experienced players, as junior forward JayVaughn Pinkston scored 22 points in the contest, including going 10-14 from the charity stripe, and junior guard Darrun Hilliard added 13 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds.
Epitomizing the Wildcats shooting struggles on the evening was sophomore guard Ryan Arcidiacono, who failed to score until there was under two minutes to play in the contest. The skilled guard, who averaged 11.9 points per game in his freshman campaign, scored just 3 points all game, as he went 1-7 from the field, including 0-6 from three.
Despite the shooting struggles, the Wildcats showed their depth as they were able to still pull out a 16-point victory. With veteran leadership and multiple scoring threats, Villanova could do big things this season, as they proved they do not rely solely on one player.
The Wildcats will next play on November 13, as they welcome the Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers to the Pavilion.
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
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