City of Basketball Love

Zach Drapkin (@ZachDrapkin) & Will Slover (@WillSlover31)

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In their first game as being the No. 1 ranked team in the country, Villanova was tested heavily by Big 5 foe La Salle in a classic city clash at the Palestra on Tuesday night. After a back-and-forth first half, Villanova used a second half push to put La Salle away and win by a final score of 89-79.

At First…

The underdog Explorers weren’t phased by the top team in the country in the early going, as La Salle battled back-and-forth with Villanova for much of the first half, even taking a 26-25 lead on a B.J. Johnson three-pointer with 5:34 to go in the first half. Johnson was a force for La Salle in the early going in the Lower Merion (Pa.) native’s first game at the Palestra. The 6-7 wing scored nine points in the first half, two of which came on a thunderous fastbreak, and-one dunk that sent the La Salle crowd into a frenzy as his free throw tied the game at 21 with just over seven minutes to go in the half. La Salle continued to battle as the half went on, never shying away from the defending National Champions as Villanova jumped out 40-32, only to see Pookie Powell score back-to-back baskets as the half closed to send the game into the intermission with Villanova leading 40-36. For Villanova, Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart led the way, both reaching double figures in the first half with 12 and 10, respectively.

Turning Point…

Trailing by just two, 44-42, with 13:53 to go in the game, La Salle big man Demetrius Henry was sent to the line with the opportunity to tie the game. Henry missed both, and Villanova immediately spun off a 9-0 run to put the Explorers down 53-42 on a Kris Jenkins three-pointer with 12:03 to go in the half. After trailing by double figures for much of the back end of the second half, La Salle didn’t go away quietly as back-to-back three pointers by Powell and Johnnie Shuler cut the Villanova lead to seven with just under six minutes remaining. Villanova battled back ahead to regain their double digit lead until a Powell three to bring it back down to seven with just over two minutes to go. After Amar Stukes took a charge on a fastbreak from Player of the Year contender Hart, Powell came through again with a strong drive and finish to cut Villanova’s lead to five with 1:45 remaining. Jordan Price followed up the Powell drive with a three-pointer to cut the Villanova lead to four with 1:15 remaining. That was as close as the Explorers would get, though as the Wildcats held their own and continued their undefeated season. 

Standout Stars…

Brunson led the Wildcats with a career-high 26 points on 10-of-17 shooting. Also with big nights for Villanova were seniors Josh Hart and Kris Jenkins. Hart finished with 21 points and 8 rebounds, while Jenkins chipped in with 12 points. Redshirt sophomore Mikal Bridges added 16 as well, going 6-of-8 from the field.

For La Salle, Powell exploded off the bench for a career-high 27 points, knocking down 3-of-7 attempts from beyond the arc and committing just one turnover. Johnson recorded 13 points and 8 rebounds for the Explorers, and also with a big night for La Salle was redshirt junior center Tony Washington. The 6-10 big man who hails from Detroit, Mich. finished with a new season high of 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting.

Noteworthy Numbers…

14: The first half saw six lead changes and eight ties as the Explorers gave Villanova all they could handle right from the opening tip.

28: The Wildcats were only able to take their first double-digit lead 28 minutes into the game, with Jenkins draining an Eric Paschall-assisted three-pointer at the 12:03 mark of the second half to take a 53-42 lead following a 9-0 run.

Up Next…

La Salle (4-3) vs. Georgetown (5-4) at Miami Hoophall Invitational, Sat., Dec 10, 2:00 PM

Villanova (9-0) vs. Notre Dame (9-0) at Never Forget Tribute Classic in Newark, NJ Sat., Dec. 10, 12:00 PM