Villanova Guard Play the Key in Overtime Win at Xavier

Villanova Men’s Basketball gutted out an overtime win on Tuesday, Feb. 17, defeating Xavier 92-89 in Cincinnati behind clutch performances from guards Bryce Lindsay, Acaden Lewis and Tyler Perkins.

The Wildcats (21-5, 12-3 Big East) notched their sixth straight win and continued their best start to a season since the 2017-18 campaign. Lindsay (15 points) began to snap out of his shooting slump, making four of six three-point shots out of the half, including an overtime triple that put Villanova in front for good. Perkins (17 points) scored five straight points in the final three minutes, including layups off a a pair of turnovers that helped the Wildcats weather a late onslaught.

Musketeers forward Tre Carroll notched 28 points, tying the game with four seconds remaining in regulation on a layup off his own offensive rebound. He then sank a triple with 44 seconds to play in overtime, keeping Xavier within one possession heading into the final whistle.

The Musketeers made 34 of 67 shots on the evening, but 16 turnovers helped Villanova survive. Lewis (21 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals) sealed the win, picking off a pass in the final seconds.

Going for a Run

Duke Brennan (10 points, 13 rebounds) notched his 12th double-double of the season, putting him one behind Michael Bradley (14 in 2000-01) for the most in a single season in Villanova history. Brennan put the Wildcats in front with an opening possession layup, then Xavier raced in front with an 11-0 run, forcing Kevin Willard to burn a timeout less than three minutes in. 

The Musketeers’ momentum didn’t last long. Sixth man Devin Askew tied the game with a triple, queuing a Xavier timeout, then nailed another out of the break to put Villanova back in front. While the Wildcats pushed their lead as high as nine points in the half, an 8-0 burst inside the three minute mark trimmed the gap to 43-42 at the break. 

Each of Lindsay’s four second half baskets came with the game within one possession, a perfectly timed hot streak that helped Villanova survive. 

Up next, Villanova will host No. 5 UConn at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21. That game will take place at Xfinity Mobile Arena in South Philadelphia.