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VILLANOVA, Pa. -- While much of the focus after the fact was on the passing and points that helped lead Villanova past Fairleigh Dickinson 91-54 in its season opener, senior guard Ryan Arcidiacono saved his highest praise for a classmate.

Daniel Ocehfu finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds for his ninth career double-double in just 20 minutes of action.

"We have to show Daniel some love," Arcidiacono said to the media gathered in the Pavilion Press Room following the Wildcats' win. "He was just a beast out there, defensively, offensively and on the offensive glass. We don't get some of the three's we got without Daniel and Darryl and everyone rebounding for us."

Junior Darryl Reynolds established a new career high for caroms with nine on the night to go with five points in 19 minutes. Villanova out-rebounded the Knights (0-1) 53-37.

"We didn't do a good job of rebounding against Pace, but we did tonight," stated Villanova head coach Jay Wright. "Daniel did a good job. It isn't easy as a big playing against guys who are smaller and quicker, even though it looks like it should be."

Villanova jumped out to a 9-2 lead in the first four minutes and never really looked back. Ochefu's six early points got Villanova going in what was to be a balanced attack on this night. Indeed, all five Wildcats starters finished in double figures, with Kris Jenkins (14 points, seven rebounds), Josh Hart (10 points, six rebounds), Arcidiacono (12 points, four assists, zero turnovers) and Jalen Brunson (12 points, four assists, zero turnovers) joining Ochefu there.

Brunson was one of three Wildcats who made his Pavilion regular season debut and he did not disappoint, sinking 4-of-6 field goal attempts.

"It felt amazing," stated Brunson. "The best part about it is that I got to go out there with my teammates to play Villanova Basketball for 40 minutes."

Mikal Bridges contributed eight points and five rebounds while Donte DiVincenzo added five points and five boards in 18 minutes for the Wildcats.

Villanova ended the evening with a 41-16 edge on points scored in the paint. VU was credited with 20 assists and limited Fairleigh Dickinson to 17-of-67 (.270) shooting from the floor.

The Wildcats return to the Pavilion on Tuesday night to host Nebraska in the first annual Gavitt Tipoff Games. Game time is scheduled for 8:30 p.m.

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