Perkins made every play late as the Wildcats avoid a disastrous loss.
Villanova found itself in a nine-point hole on its home floor to Marquette and once again, needed someone to play hero in the end.
The Wildcats made just one field goal in a stretch that lasted close to nine minutes and this allowed Marquette to open a 66-57 lead. Over the final six minutes of the game, it was time for Tyler Perkins to take control.
Perkins knocked down a three’s on back-to-back possessions to get the Wildcats within three with five minutes remaining. After Ben Gold put Marquette back up six, Perkins cut the lead in half with another three and would later grab a rebound that led to an Acaden Lewis layup that gave Villanova a 73-72 lead with 1:39 remaining.
On the defensive end, the Wildcats were in need of stop and Perkins came away with a steal before getting fouled and knocking down both free throws. To put the icing on a strong all-around performance, Perkins blocked Adrien Stevens’ final shot attempt and held the ball as the clock hit zero.
Perkins totaled 22 points on 7-for-16 from the field and eight rebounds as Villanova escaped with a 77-74 win at the Finneran Pavilion.
Villanova (19-5, 10-3) came out aggressive, opening a double-digit lead midway through the first half. The Golden Eagles (9-16, 4-10) would cut into the lead and get within four at halftime. Marquette would take its first lead in the second half two minutes in after a 7-2 run.
As the game went on, it was clear that Marquette was not going to go away and Villanova was not going to put them away — especially at the free throw line.
The Wildcats have struggled all season from the line. They went 18-for-31 from the free throw line in this one, but would make their final six to close the game. The Golden Eagles finished 18-for-20 from the line but were outscored by 15 from three-point range, where Villanova finished 13-for-34.
Lewis added 15 points and five assists while Matt Hodge finished with 13 points, knocking down three from deep.
Bryce Lindsay continued to struggled, finishing with just four points on 1-for-8 from the field and 1-for-6 from three-point range.
Villanova has now won four in a row and seven of its last nine games. The Wildcats will be back in action on Saturday in a road contest against Creighton.
The Wildcats seem to be firmly in the field for the NCAA Tournament but nothing can be taken for granted. Perkins led the way as Villanova avoided what would have been a disastrous loss on its home floor.
Category: General Sports
