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Quick Report: Villanova 95, Xavier 64

12/31/2015, 2:00pm EST
By Ari Rosenfeld

Ari Rosenfeld (@realA_rosenfeld)
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Entering the game devoid of a signature win in non-conference play, Villanova kicked off its Big East schedule with a matchup against sixth-ranked Xavier.

After opening a double-digit lead in the early minutes, the Wildcats cruised to a 95-64 win, handing the Musketeers their first loss of the year.

Here’s a quick report from The Pavillion:

At first…
The Pavillion was rocking from the start, with the Wildcats not having played an on-campus game against a top-10 opponent since 2011. Early on, though, the arena went silent as Xavier freshman Edmond Sumner went down hard after being fouled on a fastbreak layup attempt. Sumner stayed down for several minutes, beginning to move a bit and speak as medical personnel retrieved an immobilizer and stretcher. The ensuing Musketeer free throws gave them a 5-4 lead with 17:39 to play.

Turning point…
Xavier clearly had a difficult time responding to their teammate’s scary injury, and the Wildcats took advantage. Villanova played with bounce in its step that the Musketeers could not match, ripping off a 13-0 run immediately after the stoppage in play. By the 8:43 mark, senior guard Ryan Arcidiacono had 17 points on five three-pointers, including two pull-ups from well beyond the arc. Forcing turnovers and hitting seemingly everything they threw up, the Wildcats cruised to an 18-point halftime advantage before a hot start to the second half to all but iced the game.

Shining stars…
It was clear from the beginning that Arcidiacono, Villanova’s senior guard, was not going to let the Wildcats lose this game. He was locked in from the opening tap, pouring in 17 first-half points and punctuating his smothering defense with a couple drawn charges. He played possibly the best game of his career, finishing with 27 points and eight assists, tying his career high with seven made threes.

After not scoring, or even attempting a shot, in the first half, Josh Hart came out firing in the second half, scoring Villanova’s first 13 points. The spurt was capitalized by a steal and dunk that gave the Wildcats their largest lead of the game to that point. Hart finished with 15, on a perfect 6-for-6 from the field.

Noteworthy numbers…
Villanova shot a blistering 36-for-57 (63.2 percent) from the field for the game, including 13-for-25 (52.0 percent) from three. When they’re hitting the deep ball like that, they can beat anybody in the country.

The Wildcats turned Xavier over 19 times, converting the Musketeers’ giveaways into 26 points. Xavier entered the game averaging just 12 turnovers per contest.

Every player in the starting five, which included Phil Booth in place of Jalen Brunson, finished in double figures.

Up next…
Villanova (11-2) @ Creighton (9-4) (Jan. 2, 10 p.m.)
Xavier (12-1) vs. Butler (11-1) (Jan. 2, 1 p.m.)


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