Villanova wins 3rd straight while handing Duquesne its first loss

Field Level Media|published: Sun 16th November, 16:37 2025

Nov 15, 2025; Villanova, Pennsylvania, USA; Villanova Wildcats center Braden Pierce (17) drives against Duquesne Dukes guard Maximus Edwards (22) and center Stef van Bussel (18) during the first half at William B. Finneran Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Acaden Lewis scored 19 points and dished out six assists to help Villanova beat visiting Duquesne 87-77 on Saturday night for its third consecutive victory.

Bryce Lindsay added 18 points and Matt Hodge 15 for the Wildcats (3-1), who handed the Dukes (3-1) their first loss of the season.

Tarence Guinyard's 30-point performance led Duquesne. He was 5-of-6 from beyond the arc while Jimmie Wiiliams added 18 for the Dukes against their former Eastern Eight rival.

Villanova led 45-35 at halftime, then made five consecutive field goals early in the second half, including a 3-pointer from Lindsay, to push its lead to 58-46 with 15:38 left.

The Dukes got as close as six points but could never get over the hump. Vilanova led by as many as 21 but did not make a field goal in the final 4:40.

Duquesne led 13-7 early after a 3-pointer by Alex Williams with 15:50 to go in the first half.

Villanova struggled to counter, missing eight of its first 10 shots and going more than five minutes without a field goal.

The drought ended with 11:10 to play as Duke Brennan hit a jumper to pull the Wildcats within 17-14. The Dukes quickly responded with a 3-pointer by Dom Aekins.

Lindsay hit a 3-pointer at the 5:54 mark that tied the game at 28 and sparked a 19-3 run that ended with another shot from distance by Lindsay, giving the Wildcats a 44-31 lead with 2:32 left in the half.

Villanova went to halftime leading by 10 despite a slow start to the game.

--Field Level Media