MBB Minute – In the finale of this week’s Gavitt Tipoff Games, Villanova raced to an early lead and rolled past Maryland 57-40 while the other league teams in action Friday absorbed losses.
 
Villanova’s advantage grew to 31 points in the second half. Tyler Burton led the Wildcats (3-1) with 15 points. TJ Bamba added 11. Villanova stifled Maryland by holding the Terps to 24 percent (12-50) shooting from the field.
 
In the other Gavitt Games meeting on Friday, visiting Butler lost to No. 18 Michigan State 74-54. The Bulldogs (3-1), who had scored at least 80 points in their first three games, shot 29 percent from the floor. Jahmyl Telfort scored a team-high 15 points.
 
Providence took Kansas State to overtime before losing 73-70 at the Baha Mar Hoops Classic in the Bahamas. Devin Carter led the Friars (3-1) with 19 points. Bryce Hopkins added 10 points and 10 rebounds. Neither team led by more than seven points.
 
Earlier in the day, St. John’s (2-2) led by six points early in the second half, but the Red Storm could not maintain the advantage in an 88-81 loss to Dayton in the Charleston Classic. Joel Soriano notched 21 points and a game-high nine rebounds. 
 
Xavier led by seven in the second half of its game against Washington in the Continental Tire Main Event, before losing 74-71 to Washington. Forward Gytis Nemeiksa led the Musketeers (2-2) with 20 points.
 
DePaul’s late rally against South Carolina came up short in a 73-68 defeat in the Arizona Tipoff. Chico Carter Jr. scored a game-high 24 points. The Blue Demons (1-3) held the Gamecocks without a field goal in the final three minutes.
 
A three-game Saturday slate shows BIG EAST teams playing at home. Seton Hall hosts Wagner at noon ET on FS2. Georgetown battles Mount St. Mary’s at noon on local FOX5. Creighton hosts Texas Southern on FS2 at 8:30 p.m.