Villanova Double-Doubles Down Blue Jays in Omaha

Villanova Men’s Basketball rode double-doubles from Duke Brennan and Tyler Perkins to an 80-69 win at Creighton on Saturday, Feb. 14, pushing their winning streak to five games in a row.

The Wildcats (20-5, 11-3 Big East) allowed just two Blue Jays’ shots to fall in the first six minutes, taking control with a 16-3 run capped with a pair of Devin Askew threes off the bench. His second put Villanova ahead 25-10, forcing a Creighton timeout. Brennan (21 points, 12 rebounds, 8-of-9 shooting) led the field; Perkins added 17 points and 11 rebounds, demonstrating his touch with a quartet of tip-in baskets.

Villanova scored 48 points in the paint and added 14 made free throws, 11 of their 21 three-point attempts coming from Askew. While the veteran sixth man finished third on the team in scoring with 13 points, just three of his triples fell. The Wildcats allowed just 11 of 32 shots to fall in the first half, forcing eight turnovers from a team that scored at will against them in their first matchup.

Creighton began the second half on a 10-4 run that cut the lead to eight points, setting up a timeout from Villanova head coach Kevin Willard soon thereafter. The Wildcats’ bench continued to show their recent growth out of the break, scoring ten straight points for Villanova — triples from Askew and Malachi Palmer along with a Braden Pierce dunk among the highlights.

Villanova’s offense ran hot and cold in the second half, including a stretch of nearly six minutes without a shot made from the field, but free throws and timely bursts helped them close the Blue Jays out.

Villanova Men’s Basketball’s road trip will continue at Xavier on Tuesday, Feb. 17, with the opening tip-off set for 6:30 p.m.