Villanova Rolls Past Rider Despite Injuries to Suigo, Simmons

VILLANOVA, Pa. — Villanova Men’s Basketball cruised to their third straight win on Saturday, Nov. 14, dismantling the Rider Broncs 99-62 at the Finneran Pavilion.

Kwame Evans Jr. got his first start of the season for the Wildcats (3-1) with Luigi Suigo dealing with knee soreness and posted a 14 point, 10 rebound double-double. Devin Royal led the field with 21 points and, perhaps more important, the two forwards had a chance to gain experience playing together, even with adjusted roles as Suigo sat on the sideline.

The Broncs stayed within striking distance for much of the first half as Villanova’s shooting ran cold, but Rider closed the half on a 1-for-12 streak from the field that allowed the Wildcats to establish a 42-23 lead. Senior point guard Buddy Simmons II left with an injury with four minutes to play in the first half but Villanova still managed to showcase their passing, posting 20 assists to 32 made shots on the night. They also converted on 25 of 31 free throws, a marked improvement from last season’s team.

A 14-2 run midway through the second half pushed the Wildcats’ lead close to 30 points, and true freshman Adam Oumiddoch contributed 10 points off the bench in the frame. Backup center Nico Onyekwere played 24 minutes in Suigo’s absence, scoring five points along with nine rebounds and three blocks.

Up next, Villanova will play their first road game of the season, facing the Pitt Panthers at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17.