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Cats Earn Crucial Victory

Villanova earned a victory over a top 30 RPI team for the fourth time in the last month with a 60-56 win over #17 ranked, Marquette at the Pavilion on Senior night. These wins over Louisville, Syracuse, @ UConn, and Marquette have a 'Nova team that once looked to be struggling to make the NIT on the door-step of an NCAA Tournament berth. There is work left to be done but once seemed impossible now seems workable.
Both teams played tight defense in the first half and the game was knotted at 22 going into half-time. The second-half featured more aggressive offense from both teams - more passing and more effort to pound the ball inside. A late Villanova surge put the Cats up 11 with 3:32 remaining and from there two Mouphtaou Yarou dunks, two Daniel Ochefu free-throws and just enough defense to get the job done sealed the victory.
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Goods:
Large VU margin in points off turnovers
Out-scored Marquette by 9 at the FT line
+9 turnover margin
Held Marquette to three three-balls on 25% 3PFG shooting
Not so goods:
Out-rebounded by Marquette
Player Evals & Stats
Ryan Arcidiacono
36 Min, 3-10 FG, 1-6 3PFG, 4-4 FT, 4 Reb, 3 Asst, 0 TO, 0 Stl, 11 Pts
Perfect from the FT line and played an excellent floor game. Generally took good shots but couldn't get much to drop. Arcidiacono is making good decisions with the ball and setting up teammates in good positions to score the ball.
Darrun Hilliard
35 Min, 7-10 FG, 3-5 3PFG, 5-10 FT, 2 Reb, 2 Asst, 1 TO, 3 Stl, 0 Blk, 22 Pts
The player of the game for Villanova as he scored the ball with great efficiency, was the only Wildcat to make multiple threes, played great defense and made solid decisions with the basketball. Other than his FT shooting - Hilliard's play was stellar.
Jayvaughn Pinkston
29 Min, 3-7 FG, 0-0 3PFG, 5-6 FT, 2 Rebs, 1 Asst, 4 TO, 1 Blk, 0 Stl, 11 Pts
Did a nice job scoring in the paint off iso situations from the high post. Continues to get to the line and convert tough baskets in the lane. Was a little soft with the ball. His tinnily offensive contributions were a vital part of the winning effort.
James Bell
25 Min, 0-4 FG, 0-2 3PFG, 0-0 FT, 2 Rebs, 1 Asst, 2 TOs, 0 Blk, 1 Stl, 0 Pts
Got in foul trouble early and it limited his minus and effectiveness throughout the game. Looked like he would kick-start the Cats early in the second-half but instead of elevating and flushing the ball when he got free on the baseline he tried a difficult running bank-shot that missed. Never got into the flow much on offense. Grabbed an important defensive rebound late in the game.
Mouphtaou Yarou
36 Min, 4-9 FG, 2-3 FT, 7 Rebs, 1 Asst, 2 TO, 0 Blk, 2 Stl, 10 Pts
Not his best game in terms of shooting the ball efficiently but he contributed some important rebounds in the closing minutes and came up with important plays at important times. Sealed the win with a wide-open dunk when the Cats broke the desperation Marquette pressure. Yarou has been a great contributor at Villanova through his four year career. It was heart-warming to see him help 'Nova clinch a significant win on his Senior night.
Tony Chennault
20 Min, 1-2 FG, 0-0 3PFG, 0-0 FTs, 2 Rebs, 2 Stl, 3 Asst., 1 TOs, 2 Pts
Made a key defensive play when he forced a tie-up on a critical Marquette possession. Scored a basket in transition and played a decent floor game. Good effort and good game from Chennault. He frustrated a little with his drives to the lane that end with him pivoting and looking for an outlet but he compensated for those with a few nice passes and a quality defensive effort.
Daniel Ochefu
12 Min, 1-1 FG, 0-0 3PFG, 2-2 FTs, 3 Reb, 2 Asst, 0 TO, 0 Blk, 1 Stl, 4 Pts
Made positive contributions on both ends of the floor in twelve minutes of PT. Converted an easy lay-up and knocked in two important free-throws down the stretch.
Achraf Yacoubou
3 Min, 0-1 FG, 0-1 3PFG
Missed a trey and showed some quick footwork on defense.
Mo Sutton
3 Min, 1 Rebound, 0-1 FG
Got the start on Senior night. Had a nice post move end with a ball that went most of the way in and then popped out on his lone FG attempt.
Mislav Brzoja
1 Min, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PFG
Got victimized by a cross-over dribble for a step-back three-ball in his grill.
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