#BIGEASTmbb Minute: Creighton Tops Villanova In Top 20 Battle - Big East Conference Skip To Main Content

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Marcus Zegarowski netted a game-high 25 points in Saturday's win against Villanova.
Marcus Zegarowski netted a game-high 25 points in Saturday's win against Villanova.

Men's Basketball

#BIGEASTmbb Minute: Creighton Tops Villanova In Top 20 Battle

Friars, Huskies, Hoyas Also Take Saturday Wins

In a Saturday matchup of top 20 teams, No. 19 Creighton shot 59.3 percent from the field and sped past No. 5 Villanova 86-70 at the CHI Health Center in Omaha.  Providence and Connecticut grabbed road victories, while Georgetown won at home.

Creighton’s Marcus Zegarowski scored a game-high 25 points and backcourt mate Mitch Ballock added 20 points.  The Bluejays (16-5, 12-4 BIG EAST) also got double-double production from Christian Bishop (16 pts., 10 rebs.) and Damien Jefferson (10 pts., 10 rebs.).  The Wildcats (13-3, 8-2 BIG EAST) shot only 37.5 percent from the floor.  Justin Moore notched a team-high 21 points and Jermaine Samuels added 16 points and six rebounds.

Providence made it a 2-0 week after a strong defensive effort resulted in a 57-47 victory at DePaul.  The Friars (11-10, 7-8 BIG EAST) held the Blue Demons (3-9, 1-9 BIG EAST) to 30.6 percent shooting from the field.  David Duke led PC offensively with 17 points, 13 rebounds and four assists.  Friar head coach Ed Cooley missed the game due to a non-COVID medical issue.  Reserve David Jones was the only Blue Demon in double figures with 10 points.

UConn placed four players in double figures and gained its fourth road BIG EAST win of the season, an 80-72 decision at Xavier.  RJ Cole came off the bench to score 24 points and dished seven assists for the Huskies (9-5, 6-5 BIG EAST).  Tyrese Martin contributed 15 points and nine rebounds.  Xavier (11-3, 4-3 BIG EAST) was led by Zach Freemantle’s career-high 30 points and 15 rebounds. 

A quick start helped propel Georgetown to a 76-63 victory over Butler at McDonough Arena.  The Hoyas (6-10, 4-7 BIG EAST) used a 16-3 run midway in the first half that led to a 38-22 edge by halftime.  GU’s Jahvon Blair and Chudier Bile each scored 17 points.  The Bulldogs (7-11, 6-9 BIG EAST) got 12 points each from Bryce Golden, Bo Hodges and Chuck Harris.  Georgetown won the rebounding battle 38-20.

One game is set for Sunday.  Marquette plays at Seton Hall on FS1 at 3 p.m. ET.  The Pirates (11-8, 8-5 BIG EAST) want to solidify their third-place position in the league standings.  The Golden Eagles (9-11, 5-9 BIG EAST) have a better record on the road in league play (3-3) than at home (2-6).
Going into Sunday, home teams hold a 35-33 edge in BIG EAST play.