Villanova Rides Strong Second Half Past La Salle to Open Big 5 Play

VILLANOVA, Pa. — Villanova Men’s Basketball struggled to pull away from La Salle during the first 20 minutes of their home win on Tuesday, Nov. 10, but Explorers’ foul trouble and sharp shooting in the second half helped them claim an 80-59 win.

La Salle (1-2) guard Rob Dockery earned a pair of fouls in the first two minutes of play and appeared in just three minutes the rest of the half. Even so, the Explorers managed to stick with Villanova (2-1), who never held a lead higher than nine points. The Wildcats made just two of 12 shots from three and missed a handful of high-percentage plays at the rim: eight offensive rebounds and eight second chance points helped them take a 36-31 lead into the break.

A Tale of Two Halves

After attempting more than half their shots from three through their first two games, the Explorers took 21 of 28 shots from two-point range in the first half against Villanova. Their shooting struggles remained, as they made just 38.1 percent of those shots, but the Wildcats’ own struggles helped them stay within striking distance until fouls started to pour in in the second half.

Dockery, Anthony Finkley and Kam Burton all received their third foul early in the period, as did bench forward Vice Zanki. Villanova center Luigi Suigo (19 points, 12 rebounds) made three dunks in the first 4:03 of the half as the Wildcats corrected their early problems at the rim. The Explorers started to go back to the long ball as they turned to their bench but made just three of 18 threes.

Tyler Perkins scored eight much-needed points in the second half, snapping out of a funk that began against Holy Cross; Kwame Evans Jr. (eight points) played 11 minutes off the bench and went 3-for-3 from the field.

Up next, Villanova will host Rider at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14.