Villanova pulls away from struggling Georgetown

Field Level Media|published: Fri 16th February, 21:18 2024

Villanova Wildcats head coach Kyle Neptune speaks to his players in the first half of the NCAA basketball game between Xavier Musketeers and Villanova Wildcats at the Cintas Center in Cincinnati on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024. credits: Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Brendan Hausen scored all 12 of his points in the first half and TJ Bamba finished with 14 points to lead Villanova past host Georgetown 70-54 on Friday.

Hausen shot 4 of 10 from beyond the arc off the bench for the Wildcats (14-11, 7-7 Big East). Bamba went 2-of-3 on 3-pointers and finished 5-of-7 from the floor while adding four steals. Eric Dixon had 11 points, seven rebounds and a career-high eight assists for Villanova.

Rowan Brumbaugh led the Hoyas (8-17, 1-13) with 14 points and five assists. Supreme Cook had eight points and 11 rebounds, including on the offensive end. Jay Heath tacked on 12 points as Georgetown lost its 10th in a row.

The Hoyas have now posted a losing streak of at least 10 games in each of the last three seasons.

After a rugged first half filled with half-court sets and sluggish shooting by both teams, the second half opened with a much quicker pace as Georgetown heated up from beyond the arc to chisel away at its 28-19 halftime deficit.

Georgetown shook off its 2-of-13 effort from 3-point range in the opening half by making five of eight to begin the second stanza. Dontrez Styles hit a pair of 3-pointers, the second of which pulled the Hoyas to within 45-41 at the 11:58 mark.

Villanova's defense clamped down from there, holding Georgetown to two field goals throughout the next six-plus minutes as the Wildcats pulled away.

Bamba made two layups during Villanova's 6-0 run that increased the Wildcats' lead to 51-41 with 9:03 to play. Dixon made a left-handed dunk and Hakim Hart followed with a 3-pointer, which boosted Villanova's advantage to 59-46 with 6:10 remaining.

The Wildcats maintained at least an 11-point cushion en route to their third win in its last four games.

The Wildcats enjoyed a 12-1 advantage in points off turnovers.

The Hoyas' defense looked energized in the early stages and held the Wildcats to three points throughout the game's first six minutes until Hausen heated up from deep to help Villanova take a nine-point halftime lead.

Georgetown was held to four points over the last 7:50 of the first half and entered the break shooting 25.8 percent from the floor. The Hoyas finished the game 21-of-61 from the floor (34.4 percent).

—Field Level Media