Villanova 75, Delaware 65: JayVaughn Pinkston matched a season-high with 19 points as the host Wildcats pulled away from the Blue Hens in the second half and won their third straight game.
James Bell hit four 3-pointers and scored 14 points to lead three other players in double figures for Villanova (7-4), which has won all 11 meetings again Delaware (3-8).
The Wildcats went back-and-forth with the Blue Hens for most of the first half until Pinkston heated up. He drained a 3-pointer and nailed another jumper at the end of the half to send Villanova into the break with a 32-28 advantage.
Pinkston continued his scoring binge after intermission, netting eight of the Wildcats’ first nine points of the second half to extend the lead to 41-31 with 17:09 left. Delaware moved to within six points just 3:07 later, but Villanova scored eight unanswered points – including six from Bell and Pinkston – as Villanova led by as many as 18 in the final minutes.
Devon Saddler, the Colonial Athletic Association's leading scorer, paced the Blue Hens with 19 points.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Villanova entered Sunday second in the country in free throw attempts and third in free throws made, but were just 9-of-15. However, the Wildcats made up for it by hitting a season-high 10 3-pointers. ... Delaware, which has played nine of its 11 games away from home, fell to 0-11 all-time against Big East opponents. ... Jamelle Hagins, who is tied for second in the country with seven double-doubles, finished with 12 points and eight rebounds.
Delaware | Villanova | |
Devon Saddler 19 | Scoring | JayVaughn Pinkston 19 |
Jarvis Threatt 5 | Assists | Maurice Sutton 5 |
Jamelle Hagins 8 | Rebounds | Maurice Sutton 8 |
Devon Saddler 6 | Free Throws Made | JayVaughn Pinkston 5 |
Jamelle Hagins 4 | Steals | Ryan Arcidiacono 3 |
Jamelle Hagins 2 | Blocks | Maurice Sutton 6 |