Moore’s Shot Saves Villanova
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Shara Talia Taylor
It looked like an upset was on the horizon, but Justin Moore’s 3-pointer in the last seconds of the game gave the Villanova Wildcats the upper hand to outlast the DePaul Blue Demons 58-57 in the first round of the Big East Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Eric Dixon’s 21-points and nine rebounds also helped #6 seed Villanova face a well-prepared and amped up #11 seed DePaul led by Jalen Terry who scored his first double-double. It was a close match as the Wildcats struggled to regain a significant lead in the second half of the matchup as the Blue Demons tied and pushed past them at Madison Square Garden Wednesday night.
“They made a lot of shots early, kept making tough shots late,” said Villanova Wildcats Head coach Kyle Neptune. “Proud of our guys, resiliency. We just kept coming, and thank God for Justin Moore at the end.”
Villanova scored first and took a 7-0 lead, but DePaul started to fight back early and the Wildcats were unable to get more than a 7-point lead in the first half of the game. A 3-pointer by Terry pushed the Blue Demons ahead 20-19. Villanova came back with a layup by Dixon, but a 3-pointer by K.T. Raimey gave DePaul a 23-21 lead with 1:38 minutes remaining in the first half. Villanova re-focused and led 27-25 at half time.
Both teams played competitively, but Villanova fell behind as DePaul returned for the second half with resilience. Villanova trailed 40-32 with 12:56 remaining in the second half and then 57-55 in the final 18 seconds of the game when Moore made his 3-pointe. Villanova forced a turnover in the final seconds.
Terry led DePaul in scoring with 18 points and 15 rebounds.
“We trusted each other on defense, on offense, and we just continued to preach,” Terry said about what gave them the extra push at halftime. “We really can do this. Like we gotta believe.”
Villanova may have not anticipated DePaul’s stamina. DePaul entered the tournament with a 0-20 conference record and assistant coach Matt Brady had replaced their head coach near mid season.
“We’re obviously disappointed,” he said. “You know, I thought tonight our team played with discipline and poise. We showed a fighting spirit. And the truth is that’s all I’ve been working on with these guys since I was named the interim.”
Coach Neptune was asked how this game might change their approach. “No change,” he said. “We look at it like, ‘who else can go and miss the shots we did and still get stops and hold a team to 57 points and find a way to win in the end.”
Villanova next faces #3 Marquette tonight.
