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Quick Report: Villanova 88, Lafayette 48

11/11/2016, 8:45pm EST
By Rich Flanagan

Josh Hart (above) had 13 points as Villanova crushed Lafayette by 40 in both teams' season openers. (Photo: Mark Jordan/CoBL)

Rich Flanagan (@richflanagan33)
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In its first game since claiming the NCAA title seven months ago, Villanova came out like a defending national champion in an 88-48 rout of Lafayette in front of a raucous crowd inside the Pavilion. The Wildcats led by as many as 41 and had four players in double figures in their home opener.

At First…
The Wildcats jumped out to a 15-2 run at the first TV timeout and didn’t look back. They shot 56 percent (20-36) from the floor including 6–16 from beyond the arc and took a 32-point lead into the locker room. Kris Jenkins had 13 points at the break while Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges added 11 apiece. Lafayette shot 7-32 from the floor, led by senior Nick Lindner, who had seven points at halftime.

Turning Point…
Villanova didn’t take its foot off the gas, increasing their lead to 39 points at the 11:57 mark of the second half. They maintained at least a 30-point advantage for the entire second half and increased that to 40 with under two minutes to play.

Standout Stars…
Jenkins, who hit the game-winning three-pointer vs North Carolina in the title game, continued to showcase his shooting touch hitting three treys in the first half and finished with 16 points for the game. Brunson (17), Bridges (16) and Josh Hart (13) all finished in double figures for the Wildcats.

Noteworthy Number(s)….
13 – The Wildcats had 13 points off of ten Lafayette turnovers in the first half. Mikal Bridges had two steals, both of which he turned into layups at the other end.

33:13 – The Wildcats led for more than three quarters of the game and never trailed. They increased the lead to 41 points in the second half .

32 – Villanova outscored the Leopards, 32-14 in the paint. Brunson and Bridges were continually able to attack the rim and penetrate then dished it off to Darryl Reynolds and Eric Paschall, who both had seven points each.

Up Next…
Villanova (1-0) will travel to Indiana to take on Purdue on Monday night at 7 PM. Lafayette (0-1) will head to New Jersey to face Saint Peter’s also Monday at 7 PM.


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