Road teams continued their above normal success in BIG EAST road conference play with three of four visiting teams going home with a win on Saturday.
Home teams are 26-24 (.520) after Saturday’s results.
Third-ranked Villanova used first-half runs of 17-3 and 10-0 and placed four starters in double figures in an 80-72 triumph at Seton Hall. The Wildcats (11-1, 6-0 BIG EAST) got a game-high 23 points from Jeremiah Robinson-Earl in only 20:46 of playing time. Collin Gillespie had 11 points, a career-high 11 assists and only one turnover in 36 minutes. Seton Hall (9-8, 6-5 BIG EAST) was led by Shavar Reynolds, who paced four Pirates in double figures with 13 points.
Xavier got back on the court after a 20-day layoff and won 68-55 at Butler. The Musketeers (11-2, 4-2 BIG EAST) built a 47-27 lead in the second half before the Bulldogs (5-9, 4-7 BIG EAST) responded with a 13-0 run. Xavier’s Paul Scruggs scored the next five points of the game to help nail down the victory. Scruggs finished with a game-high 24 points and added seven rebounds and three assists. Bryce Nze led Butler with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Bo Hodges, a transfer from East Tennessee State who just became eligible, had 11 points and six rebounds.
No. 17 Creighton needed a 10-2 run to close the game in a 69-62 victory at DePaul. The Blue Demons (3-7, 1-7 BIG EAST) played without injured guard Charlie Moore, but Ray Salnave stepped into the starting lineup and posted a game-high 21 points to go with five rebounds and four steals. Javon Freeman-Liberty helped with 13 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals. The Bluejays (13-4, 9-3 BIG EAST) improved to 5-1 on the road in BIG EAST play. Marcus Zegarowski led four players in double figures with 19 points.
Georgetown was the only home team to taste victory. The Hoyas (4-8, 2-5 BIG EAST), who hadn’t played in three weeks, recovered from a 15-point deficit in the first half to edge Providence 73-72. Chudier Bile came off the bench to score 19 points and grab a game-high nine rebounds. Jamorko Pickett added 12 points, six rebounds and four assists. A.J. Reeves poured in 28, which included 6-of-12 from 3-point range, five rebounds and five assists for the Friars (9-8, 5-6 BIG EAST).
Sunday’s only contest is St. John’s at Marquette on FOX at 3:30 p.m. ET. Both teams are 4-6 in BIG EAST play. The Red Storm (10-7) have won four of their last five games. Marquette (8-8) is coming off an overtime loss at Providence on Wednesday.