Eric Dixon led the charge for Villanova, scoring an impressive 31 points as they handed No. 14 Cincinnati its first defeat of the season with a final score of 68-60 on Tuesday night.
The Wildcats, now sitting at 5-4, secured a vital victory for their third-year head coach Kyle Neptune. This win comes as Neptune strives to guide Villanova back to the NCAA Tournament, a goal that has eluded him in his first two seasons. The timing of this win is particularly significant, arriving just weeks after the appointment of Eric Roedl as the new athletic director, providing a positive start for a coach in need of momentum.
Jizzle James contributed 19 points for the Bearcats, who now hold a record of 6-1.
As the game progressed, Cincinnati managed to narrow Villanova’s lead to just six points. However, Dixon, a member of the 2022 Final Four team, responded decisively by sinking back-to-back 3-pointers, extending the Wildcats’ advantage to 61-49.
Takeaways
Cincinnati: The Bearcats faced disappointment once again, falling short of achieving a 7-0 start for the second consecutive season.
Villanova: Despite the victory, the Wildcats’ hopes for an at-large bid in March may already seem slim, especially after previous losses to Columbia and Saint Joseph’s. They will look to regain footing as they enter the Big East segment of their schedule.
Key moment
A pivotal moment in the game occurred when Villanova’s Tyler Perkins drained a 3-pointer, capping an early 13-2 run in the first half. Jhamir Brickus then followed up with another 3-pointer just before halftime, giving the Wildcats a 37-28 lead.
Key stat
The Bearcats struggled offensively, shooting only 38% from the field. This marked a stark contrast to their earlier performances, where they had maintained over 50% shooting in their first five games, their longest streak since 2002.
Up next
Looking ahead, the Bearcats will host Howard on Sunday, while Villanova is set to face off against city rival Temple on Saturday during the Big 5 Classic at the Wells Fargo Center.
