Val Ackerman presents Villanova Rev. Peter M. Donahue, O.S.A. the 2016 BIG EAST Presidents' Award Trophy.
MBB Minute -- Villanova Holds Off Georgetown, Butler Wins At Marquette
Georgetown cut a 17-point second-half deficit to two late in the game, but could not come all the way back at No. 2/2 Villanova and lost 75-64 on Tuesday. L.J. Peak and Rodney Pryor led the charge for the Hoyas with 21 and 20 points, respectively. Pryor also had a game-high nine rebounds. Villanova’s Josh Hart finished with 25 points, seven rebounds and three assists. The victory was the 499th for Wildcat coach Jay Wright and was Villanova’s 48th straight at The Pavilion.
No. 22/21 Butler had a week to think about its two-game losing streak before playing at Marquette last night and the Bulldogs responded with a 68-65 win with their seniors combining for 51 points. Senior Andrew Chrabascz had a game-high 21 points and classmate Avery Woodson helped with 17 points. Luke Fischer was outstanding for the Golden Eagles with 19 points, 13 rebounds and four blocked shots. He made 9-of-14 from the field. The Bulldogs improved to 8-4 in BIG EAST play, while Marquette fell to 6-6.
The two games on Wednesday’s schedule are an FS1 doubleheader. At 6:30 p.m. ET, No. 24/25 Xavier hosts DePaul. Xavier is riding a three-game winning streak and DePaul is trying to end a six-game losing skid. The Musketeers are led by Trevon Bluiett, the BIG EAST Player of the Week for the past two weeks, who ranks second in the league in scoring at 18.6 ppg. DePaul’s Billy Garrett Jr., who was named to the NABC Good Works Team on Monday, is averaging 15.7 points. Eli Cain is the top Blue Demon scorer with a 16.5 average.
In the second game of the doubleheader, Seton Hall hosts Providence at 8:30 p.m. Both teams are trying to move up in the standings with the Pirates at 4-6 and the Friars at 4-7. Providence topped Seton Hall 65-61 on Jan. 14. PC’s Rodney Bullock led all scorers with 22 points. The Friars have won seven of the last 10 meetings. The Pirates’ Angel Delgado leads the nation in rebounding with a 13.1 mark and is averaging 14.7 boards in BIG EAST games.