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Villanova Loses on Late Three in Crushing Fashion

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Villanova Wildcats Mascot March 18, 2022 David Hague/PSN

Wooga Poplar took over late in the second half of Villanova Men’s Basketball’s Saturday, Feb. 1 Game against Creighton, scoring 17 of the Wildcats’ last 19 points. It wasn’t enough to escape with a win, however, as Creighton senior Steven Ashworth sank a three-pointer with 5.8 seconds to play — out of a controversial timeout call — defeating Villanova 62-60 for the Wildcats’ third straight loss.

Poplar dropped 24 points, including nine in a row for the Wildcats (12-10, 5-6 Big East) to put them ahead 50-45 with less than seven minutes to play. He also added five steals, two in the final minutes to keep Villanova’s chances alive, but it was the red-hot Blue Jays — now winners of seven in a row — who sank their shots when it mattered most. While they’ve struggled at times this season, the Wildcats’ defense put together one of their best performances, forcing 18 turnovers that created 25 points.

Eric Dixon’s Milestone

After a strong showing from Creighton early, the Wildcats took their first lead of the game with 3:15 to play in the first half thanks to a three-pointer from redshirt freshman forward Jordann Dumont, who stepped up in the absence of Josiah Moseley, a late scratch due to illness. Dumont’s triple capped a 12-2 run that included a three from Eric Dixon to give him 2,000 points in his Wildcats’ career, one of just nine players in all of Division 1 to reach the milestone.

While Villanova managed to obtain the final possession of the half, they couldn’t do anything with it, heading to the break tied 29-29.

A back and forth second half saw repeated ties and lead changes, with the Blue Jays pulling ahead late on another Ashworth three. Poplar trimmed the deficit to one point with a layup, then put the Wildcats ahead with an emphatic steal and transition dunk with 15.3 seconds to go.

Ashworth’s ensuing three-point try missed badly, headed out of bounds before Jasen Green managed to corral it in midair. The referees allowed a Blue Jays’ timeout, allowing Creighton to salvage a possession that could’ve easily become a turnover and setting up Ashworth’s go-ahead make.

Villanova got the ball back but couldn’t get a shot off, the game ending with a Dixon turnover.

Up next for Villanova is a road trip to Chicago, where they’ll take on the DePaul Blue Demons starting at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 5. The Wildcats crushed DePaul 100-56 at home back in January.

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