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Charlie Moore scored a team-high 21 points in Saturday's win at Marquette.
Charlie Moore scored a team-high 21 points in Saturday's win at Marquette.

Men's Basketball

#BIGEASTmbb Minute: Villanova, Creighton, DePaul Win

St. John's Earns Non-League Victory

Villanova, Creighton and DePaul were the winners in league play on Saturday, while St. John’s picked up a non-conference victory.

Villanova defeated visiting Providence 71-56 in its second game back since a four-week absence.  After trailing 27-24 at halftime, the Wildcats (10-1, 5-0 BIG EAST) surged in the second half to stay unbeaten in BIG EAST play.  Guards Collin Gillespie and Justin Moore each scored 15 points.  Jermaine Samuels added 10 points and 10 rebounds.  The Wildcat defense helped force 19 PC turnovers.   Providence was led by freshman guard Alyn Breed, who had 18 points, 11 rebounds for his first career double-double.     

Creighton also used a strong second half in its 74-66 home victory against Connecticut.  The Bluejays (11-4, 7-3 BIG EAST) put together a 15-5 spurt midway through the period to take the lead for good.  Creighton’s Denzel Mahoney scored a game-high 20 points.  Marcus Zegarowski helped with 15 points.  UConn (7-3, 4-3 BIG EAST) placed four players in double figures led by RJ Cole, who had 14 points and five assists. Freshman Adama Sanogo added a collegiate-high 13 points.

DePaul was in control most of the game, lost the lead with four minutes to go, but recovered to take its first BIG EAST win, a 68-61 victory at Marquette.  Charlie Moore made 8-of-8 from the foul line in the final minute for DePaul (3-5, 1-5 BIG EAST) and finished with 21 points.  Javon Freeman-Liberty helped with 19 points and six rebounds.  Freeman-Liberty and Moore combined to score DePaul’s final 14 points of the game.  Marquette (8-7, 4-5 BIG EAST) was led by D.J. Carton, who had 23 points.

St. John’s (9-7) stepped outside of BIG EAST competition and scored a 96-78 triumph over Utah Valley at Carnesecca Arena.  The Johnnies pulled away late in the first half to gain the win.  Freshman Posh Alexander continued his strong play, registering 20 points and three steals.  Julian Champagnie added 19 points.  Alexander leads the BIG EAST in steals with a 2.5 average.  Champagnie is first in the league in scoring with a 19.9 mark. 
After Saturday’s games, home teams are only 23-19 (.548) in league play.