Villanova Wins Throwback Big East Matchup Against Hapless Panthers

VILLANOVA, Pa.—The Villanova Wildcats picked up a 79-61 win over former Big East opponent Pitt on Saturday, Dec. 13, cruising to victory with a strong second half. The win marks Villanova’s first against the Panthers since the Scottie Reynolds game in 2009, ending a six game losing streak.

Senior forward Duke Brennan set a career high with 24 points, tying with Bryce Lindsay (24 points). Freshman point guard Acaden Lewis accounted for 11 points, seven assists, two steals and just one turnover.

The first half saw three ties and ten lead changes as Villanova (8-2) struggled to establish themselves: Panthers’ forward Cameron Corhen provided a plus presence under the basket, while bench guard Nojus Indrušaitis added nine points off the bench.

Villanova Takes Command

Pitt pulled ahead 28-24 with 6:17 to play. Senior guard Devin Askew sank a three to reel the Panthers back in, sparking a 12-0 run: 17 seconds later, Lewis poked the ball away from Damarco Minor and took it the other way for a layup, giving Villanova a lead they never relinquished.

The sequence repeated late in the half, with a Lindsay three leading into a Lewis steal and layup, putting the Wildcats ahead 41-32. Lindsay began the second half with another three, but eight points in 63 seconds from Panthers’ guard Barry Dunning Jr. closed the gap to 44-40.

Villanova punched right back, beginning with a deep two from Matt Hodge as the shot clock expired, sparking a 9-0 burst that provided breathing room. The Wildcats kept up the pressure late, with a Lewis triple and a Lindsay and-one capping a 10-0 run that the Panthers didn’t have enough time to respond to.

Up next, Villanova will travel to Milwaukee to take on the Wisconsin Badgers in a neutral site matchup set to begin at 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19.