The Wildcats returned to .500 with a lopsided win over Rider.
Villanova was back in action on Thanksgiving Eve, hosting the Rider Broncs, who played their seventh straight game away from home to start the season.
Despite a slow start, Villanova was able to rebound nicely, finishing the first half on a 13-0 run. They would use that momentum to carry them deep into the second half, and ultimately defeat the Broncs, 72-48.
Coming into the game, Rider was allowing opponents to shoot from beyond the arc at just a 29.8% rate. Despite the fact, Villanova’s game plan was seemingly to attack the Rider defense, attempting a season high 38 three-point shots. Luckily for the Wildcats, they connected on 15 of them, accounting for more than half of their total points.
Villanova’s team defense was also a bright spot for them tonight, forcing 26 points off of 17 turnovers.
The Wildcats opened the game in a man to man, which Rider was able to handle aptly, as they were within one of Villanova seven minutes into the contest. Kyle Neptune made the decision to switch to a 2-3 zone at that point, which worked effectively, limiting the Broncs to just five made field goals the remaining 13 minutes of the first half.
The Wildcats were able to get it done on both ends of the floor.
Jhamir Brickus was a key to Villanova’s successes on Wednesday night, tallying 15 points on 5-of-7 SHOOTING from beyond the arc. Eric Dixon has obviously been the keystone on this team this season, but Brickus is certainly the straw that stirs the drink this season. Having a true point guard has been a welcome sight for the Wildcats this year.
Speaking of Eric Dixon, despite his final line of 16 points, three rebounds and five assists, it did not feel like one of his classic dominant performances, which is crazy to think. Dixon has been a great leader on and off the floor, and tonight was no different.
Tyler Perkins and Jordan Longino also finished in double figures, collecting 10 points each.
As for Rider, Jay Alvarez and Flash Burton led the way as they have all season long for the Broncs, finishing with 11 and 15 points. Shooting is not Rider’s forte and tonight was also no exception, as they finished 21-of-48 (43.8%) from the field but 4-of-17 (23.5%) from long range.
Villanova did what they had to and took care of business against a much lesser opponent. The Wildcats improved to 4-4 overall.
Their biggest challenge of the season will come six days from now, when they have a channce to make a statement and resume building win when they host KenPom’s No. 7 team, the Cincinnati Bearcats as a part of the Big East/Big 12 Challenge.
Tip-off is scheduled for Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. ET at Finneran Pavilion.