Villanova Avoids Meltdown Against Marquette

VILLANOVA, Pa.— Tyler Perkins and Acaden Lewis caught fire in the second half of Villanova Men’s Basketball’s 77-74 comeback win over Marquette at the Finneran Pavilion on Tuesday, Feb. 10, combining for 15 points in the final six minutes as the Wildcats erased a nine point lead.

Perkins (22 points) sank back-to-back threes to spark a 9-0 run, with a Matt Hodge triple bringing the Wildcats (19-5, 10-3 Big East) all the way back. Marquette promptly took the air out of the building with triples from Ben Gold and Chase Ross, establishing a 72-66 lead inside the three minute mark. Another Perkins three gave Villanova life, then it was Lewis (15 points, five assists) chipping in, making two free throws before putting the Wildcats in front with a layup.

The duo erased the Golden Eagles’ next two possessions with a pair of steals; Perkins added an offensive rebound to bleed the clock away, then came up with the game-sealing block as Adrien Stevens tried to chuck up a tying three as time expired.

Villanova Can’t Pull Away

Villanova pushed their lead to double digits twice in the first half, winning 36-32 on the glass with 17 offensive rebounds. They also forced 18 turnovers, but an 18-of-31 clip from the charity stripe helped Marquette stick around. The Golden Eagles’ shooting picked up in the second half, when they made 14 of 24 shots and tied the game 41-41 on a pair of Royce Parham (26 points) free throws.

The Wildcats went on a 9-2 run, appearing to gain some breathing room, then went more than four minutes without making a shot from the field, allowing Marquette to take a 58-54 lead. Just as the Golden Eagles looked ready to pull away, Perkins and Lewis carried their team to the finish line.

Up next, Villanova will travel to face Creighton at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14.