Eric Dixon and Brendan Hausen carried Villanova’s offense in a wire-to-wire victory to complete the season series sweep of DePaul.
The Villanova Wildcats played host to the DePaul Blue Demons in the only standalone high major college showdown on Friday evening.
The Wildcats have been without their senior leader Justin Moore, who has been out with a knee sprain since he injured it on December 5th in a game against Kansas State. His return to the lineup tonight was bittersweet however, as it saw the man he was replacing, Jordan Longino, out with an ankle injury.
Jordan Longino looks on as the Wildcats get loose sporting a pretty significant boot on his left foot pic.twitter.com/YAXBRYbD97
— Tommy Godin (@tommygodinjr) January 13, 2024
Nonetheless, the Wildcats have been equipped with a “next-man-up” mentality dating back to last season and while losing Longino certainly hurts, Villanova was well equipped to handle the Blue Demons at home, defeating them by a final score of 94-69.
Villanova, a team that prides itself on defense and rebounding, was outmatched in the opening minutes of this contest. DePaul, who is ranked 252nd in KenPom in offensive efficiency, connected on five of their first eight attempt from the floor and opened up an early 12-11 advantage on the Wildcats.
The first half would continue to be tightly contested before Brendan “The Amarillo Assassin” Hausen opened the game right up, connecting on FIVE of his first six attempts from beyond the arc in the first half. The rest of the team was 1-for-10.
To say Hausen started the year off slow from beyond the arc would be an understatement, from November 11th through the UCLA game where he hit a crucial late three ball, Hausen was shooting just 23.2% from deep. Since then he has connected on 15 of his last 28 attempts, good for over 53%.
That go-ahead three from Brendan Hausen against UCLA was a turning point.
From Nov 11 – the UCLA game: 10-43 3PT (23.2%)
Since: 15-28 3PT (53.6%), including 5-6 tonight https://t.co/iy0MkbaJYY
— Colin Beazley (@colin_beazley) January 13, 2024
The best shooters in the world never lose their confidence.
The Wildcats would use that momentum to take a ten point advantage into the halftime locker room. They did not commit a turnover in the first half, despite committing sixteen the last time they faced off against the Blue Demons.
DePaul would threaten, but never come close in a game that Villanova led wire to wire in.
As previously mentioned Jordan Longino was held out from this contest with an ankle injury and it was apparent that the Wildcats missed him in this one. Longino is a solid perimeter defender and the Wildcats allowed DePaul to shoot 40% from deep in the win.
Eric Dixon was dominant for the Wildcats on Friday evening as well, getting anything he wanted in the post. He finished with 24 points on an efficient 9-12 from the field.
Brendan Hausen was contained in the second half but still finished with 17 points on 6-for-7 shooting including an emphatic slam to cap off the win.
Justin Moore scored two points in his return.
Three other Wildcats scored in double figures in the lopsided win. Mark Armstrong had 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Tyler Burton 14-point, 10-rebound double-double, and T.J. Bamba chipped in 10 points in the winning effort.
As for DePaul, the Blue Demons were led by Da’Sean Nelson who finished with 20 points despite fouling out with 5:17 to go in regulation. Chico Carter finished with 14 points on 6-9 shooting. JalenTerry stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points, five rebounds and six assists. The Blue Demons fell to 3-13 (0-5) on the year.
The Wildcats will have the weekend off before traveling to Milwaukee for a MLK Day matinee with the reigning conference champion Marquette Golden Eagles.