Eric Dixon scores 34 as Villanova gets past Butler

Field Level Media|published: Sat 1st March, 14:38 2025

Mar 1, 2025; Villanova, Pennsylvania, USA; Villanova Wildcats forward Eric Dixon (43) passes the ball against the Butler Bulldogs in the first half at William B. Finneran Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

Eric Dixon scored 34 points with seven rebounds and three assists on senior day to lead Villanova to an 80-70 win over visiting Butler on Saturday afternoon.

Jordan Longino added 14 for the Wildcats (18-12, 11-8 Big East), who won their third consecutive game. Wooga Poplar scored 12 points with a game-high nine rebounds, while Enoch Boakyue scored 10 points.

Finley Bizjack and Jahmyl Telfort each scored 16 points for Butler (13-6, 6-12), which lost for the third time in four games. Pierre Brooks II added 14 for the Bulldogs.

Villanova led 43-35 at halftime before Butler went on an 10-2 run to open the second half and tie the game 45-45 with 15:43 remaining. The game was tied again 47-47 with 14:53 left.

A 21-8 run gave the Wildcats a 68-55 lead with 7:50 remaining after a 3-pointer from Longino. Butler never got within six points the rest of the way.

It was back and forth early in the game with the teaqms combining to make eight of their first nine shots.

The Wildcats went on a 7-0 run and took a double-digit lead as high as 15 points on two occasions, including 43-28 with 2:10 left in the first half before the Bulldogs ended the half with a 7-0 run.

Dixon scored 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting in the first half while Brooks led Butler with 10 points. Villanova shot 7-for-14 from 3-point range and 54.8 percent from the floor in the first half with just three turnovers.

Villanova was more efficient offensively, shooting 50.8 percent from the floor in the game on 59 attempts compared to 40.0 percent for Butler on 65 attempts.

The Wildcats swept the season series and won their third in a row over Butler.

--Field Level Media