Villanova Stunned By Georgetown in Big East Quarterfinals

NEW YORK — Villanova Men’s Basketball took a 27-18 lead over Georgetown with 7:52 to play in the first half of their quarterfinal matchup in the Big East Tournament, Bryce Lindsay (11 points) sinking back-to-back threes as the Wildcats’ offense began to roll.

They went on to lose 78-64 to the league’s No. 11 seed, making just 37.7 percent of their shots on the night and struggling to contain Hoyas’ big man Julius Halifonua (21 points, 9-of-9 from two) down low. Lindsay’s made threes marked his last two made shots on the night: he went 0-for-5 from there.

The Wildcats (24-8) forced ten turnovers in the first 13 minutes but the Hoyas cleaned up their act from there, committing just four the rest of the way; Villanova scored 16 of their first 29 points off turnovers, but with cold shooting they couldn’t keep pace once the turnovers dried up. To make matters worse, Georgetown dominated the glass 46-25 limiting the Wildcats’ ability to string together a run.

Offense Freezes Over

Villanova managed just two buckets in the last seven minutes of the first half, the Hoyas streaking ahead on a 14-2 run. Tyler Perkins (13 points) mounted their best chance at a comeback with 14 minutes left to play, cutting the deficit to 44-42 with a layup off his own offensive rebound before trading threes with Georgetown guard Malik Mack. Perkins had a chance to tie the game with a trip to the line but made just one of two free throws, but a five minute stretch in which the Wildcats made just one basket stifled their hopes of victory.

Hoyas’ bench guard Kayvon Mulready sank back-to-back threes inside the six minute mark, putting Georgetown ahead 67-53 and all but sinking Villanova.

The Wildcats are a near lock for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament in their first season under head coach Kevin Willard, but now they’ll need to sweat more at 6 p.m. on Selection Sunday: they’re predicted to land somewhere around a No. 8 seed.