Villanova Snaps Five Game Losing Streak Verse the Providence Friars
Philadelphia, PA — Kyle Neptune and his Villanova squad took a hold of the game early, in a home blowout fashion win over the Providence Friars, 68-50. In a game that started out defensive-minded, points came at a premium to start this one out at the Wells Fargo Center. With the Wildcats heading into this game winless in their last five conference games, a breakout performance was inevitably on its way. A well-orchestrated balanced attack from the home team saw them pull away from this one with about 14 minutes left in the second half. Eric Dixon led the way for Villanova in dominant fashion contributing 12 points and five rebounds on five of eight shooting. Josh Oduro led the visiting Friars with a double-double, 18 points, and 12 rebounds.
For a spectator who loves fast-paced offense, this was not the first half for you. At a time five minutes into the game, both teams combined to shoot a ridiculous three for 18 from the field. In an old-school Big East grudge match, the half saw nothing too exciting other than an 8-0 run by Villanova midway through the first frame. That run was good enough to build on, as the Wildcats saw themselves up 26-16 on their own floor. With both teams shooting six for 30 from downtown, at times it seemed like there was a “lid on the bucket” for each side. Other than Oduro with eight points and five boards for the Friars, the offense was stagnant for a good portion of the first twenty. For Kyle Neptune’s squad, guard TJ Bamba led the way with nine points, along with a couple of boards. Bamba seemed like the energizer bunny at times in the first half, helping conduct that run to take the lead into the half.
As we got into the second half, a team effort from the Wildcats saw them build on this ten-point halftime lead. While they extended their lead to as many as 24 in the late stages of the half, Villanova saw themselves in cruise control for the rest of the way. Kim English’s team would keep clawing at the long-tenured Wildcats lead, but the overpowering presence in the paint would do justice at the final whistle. While both teams are currently “living on the bubble” along with a few other teams in the conference, every game is amplified to the next level. The intensity was brought, snapping the longest losing streak Villanova has endured since March of 2011.
Providence (14-8) now falls under .500 in Big East play at 5-6, with a 2-5 record on the road. The Friars team now looks into next week's matchup, where the #13 Creighton Bluejays come to Rhode Island on Wednesday night. Devin Carter and the Friars will look to take a prominent mindset into another pivotal home game that can shake the Big East standings. On the other side of the sheet, Villanova (12-10) ends a five-game losing streak, while crawling back to 5-6 in the conference. They will look ahead traveling to Cincinnati to play the Xavier Musketeers on Wednesday as well in league play.
