In a thrilling Big East Conference basketball game, Villanova showcased remarkable resilience by overcoming a significant second-half deficit to defeat DePaul 71-66. The Wildcats, propelled by strong performances from Bryce Lindsay and Tyler Perkins, orchestrated a decisive rally that saw them convert crucial three-pointers and capitalize on DePaul's mounting foul issues. This victory underscores Villanova's competitive spirit and strategic depth, securing a pivotal conference win at home against a challenging opponent.
The Wednesday night encounter began with Villanova establishing an early 12-6 advantage, thanks to Tyler Perkins' quick five points, including a three-pointer and a successful three-point play. However, DePaul quickly responded with a 9-0 run, highlighted by key baskets from Benson and CJ Gunn, as they effectively countered Villanova's 2-3 zone defense. The Wildcats then switched to a man-to-man defense, which momentarily slowed DePaul's offense but did little to ignite their own, as they struggled from the field, missing 14 of 16 attempts and all seven from long range, allowing DePaul to build a 23-16 lead by the media timeout with 7:20 left in the first half.
DePaul extended its lead to 30-21, with CJ Gunn being a dominant force, scoring 13 points in the first half. However, the Blue Demons soon faced significant foul trouble, forcing multiple starters to the bench, which disrupted their rhythm. This unfortunate turn of events led to a series of turnovers for DePaul, enabling Villanova to narrow the gap to 32-28 by halftime. Despite the setback, DePaul reasserted control in the initial ten minutes of the second half, with Layden Blocker and Benson combining for an emphatic alley-oop jam, pushing their lead to 42-34 and prompting Villanova to call a timeout with 16:22 remaining.
Villanova's offensive struggles persisted until Blocker's drive and a subsequent RJ Smith three-pointer extended DePaul's largest lead to 50-40, forcing another Villanova timeout with 10:54 left. Following this, the Wildcats ignited an impressive 8-0 run, featuring back-to-back three-pointers from Bryce Lindsay, signaling a shift in momentum. Although Smith momentarily stemmed the tide with another three-pointer, DePaul's foul issues intensified, with Gunn, Smith, and Kaleb Banks all accumulating four fouls, severely limiting their offensive options. This provided Villanova the critical opening they needed, as Perkins and Devin Askew sank consecutive three-pointers, giving the Wildcats a 59-58 lead with just over five minutes remaining—a lead they would not relinquish.
The Wildcats' ability to rally from a substantial deficit in the second half demonstrates their resolve and strategic adjustments. Despite DePaul's strong start and individual brilliance, their inability to manage foul trouble ultimately cost them the game. Villanova's sharpshooting from beyond the arc in critical moments, combined with their defensive tenacity, proved to be the winning formula in this hard-fought contest, securing a vital conference win.