Villanova Escapes Milwaukee With Overtime Win Over Badgers

Villanova Men’s Basketball outlasted the Wisconsin Badgers 76-66 with a furious overtime push on Friday, Dec. 19, scoring 20 points in the extra period to cruise to victory. The Wildcats (9-2) never trailed, but allowed the Badgers to tie the game on a Nolan Winter layup with 31.6 seconds to play.

Freshman point guard Acaden Lewis missed a jumper as the shot clock ran out, sending the game to overtime. Bryce Lindsay sank a pair of three pointers as Villanova took command with an 11-1 run to open the extra period: the redshirt sophomore guard went on to score ten points in the period. He also received a technical foul after a late dust-up. By the time the Badgers began to make shots, the Wildcats held a double digit lead, and they sank seven of eight free throws in the final 63 seconds to close Wisconsin out.

Making the Badgers Adjust

The Badgers entered play taking more than 60 shots per game, including an average of nearly 33 from beyond the arc. Villanova forced 16 turnovers and outrebounded Wisconsin 40-35 to cut into those numbers, holding the Badgers to just 56 shots and 23 three-point attempts even with an extra five minutes to play.

The Wildcats began on a tear from long range, making three threes in the first four minutes to open an 11-6 lead. While they soon managed to push their lead to double digits, an 8-0 Wisconsin run closed them back within a possession.

Junior guard Tyler Perkins, who led the Wildcats with 19 points scored, made a habit of sinking clutch shots that snapped Wisconsin runs, including the aforementioned 8-0 span, a 7-0 run that brought them within five early in the second half, and a pair of free throws that helped keep Villanova afloat amidst a 15-4 push in the waning minutes.

Up next, Villanova Men’s Basketball will take part in their Big East opener at Seton Hall, which will begin at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 23.