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PHILADELPHIA, Pa.ââ'¬" With the memory of their last home court meeting with Providence still fresh, Villanova's senior tandem of Josh Hart and Kris Jenkins made big shots throughout the day to key a 78-68 win over the Friars. A season ago, Providence knocked off the 'Cats at the Wells Fargo Center, 82-79 in overtime.

National player of the year candidate Hart (Silver Spring, Md.) finished the day with 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting. Jenkins, meanwhile, added 19 points to go with four rebounds and assists.

"They have two game changers in Jenkins and Hart," stated Providence head coach Ed Cooley. "When you've got two of the better players on the floor, every game you're going to have a chance to win. Those two guys played great today."

Villanova head coach Jay Wright didn't dispute his friend Cooley's take on his two seniors.

"Both of them are two of the best players in college basketball," said Wright. "We're lucky to have them on our team, very lucky. They defend, they rebound and they're leaders. They score, they pass, and they're just complete players. We're very fortunate to have them."

The third member of Villanova's senior class, Darryl Reynolds, chipped in with a game high 10 rebounds to go with four points and a pair of blocked shots.

Three point baskets by Hart and Jenkins helped fuel an early burst that allowed Villanova to grab an early 10-2 run. However, the Friars got their own offense rolling and responded with an 8-0 surge that pulled them even at 12 with 10:52 left to play in the first half.

Villanova responded with a 14-4 surge sparked by the work of those two seniors. Jenkins converted a turnaround jumper that gave the Wildcats a 26-16 advantage.

Providence's Kyron Cartwright, the BIG EAST's second leading scorer, began to heat up and that helped get the Friars offense back into gear. When Cartwright set up Emmitt Holt for a deep 3-pointer from the top of the key,, the Friars had narrowed the gap to 32-29.

After 20 minutes, the Wildcats held a 35-31 advantage. The key for the Friars was their work from beyond the arc, with many of those looks owed to the efforts of Cartwright, Providence connected on 5-of-12 (.417) from deep in the first half. Villanova, meanwhile, was 4-of-9 from distance.

Jenkins and Hart each had 10 points to lead Villanova in the first half. Classmate Darryl Reynolds chipped in with four points and seven rebounds.

A good opening stretch for the Wildcats created a 6-0 burst to push the lead back to 41-31 before the second period was two minutes old. Providence didn't fade but Villanova's crisp offense ââ'¬" it would end the day with 19 assists on 30 field goals ââ'¬" allowed them to expand the margin to 60-43 with 9:36 to play after Jenkins dropped in a 3-pointer.

"A great start," stated Wright. "The seniors came out and took control. That's what we have. We're very fortunate. They've been in a lot of games like this. Defensively, we broke down a little bit at the end of the first half. They came out in the second half with big stops, turnovers. Then we got out, Kris got it going a little bit. That's what you're talking about having two seniors like this."

Providence used a flurry of late 3-pointers ââ'¬" they connected on 13-of-26 on the day ââ'¬" to keep the Wildcats on the hook. But in the end, Villanova left its home away from home with its 19th victory and fifth in a row (19-1 overall, 7-1 BIG EAST). Providence dropped to 13-8 overall, 3-5 BIG EAST).

The Wildcats will now begin preparing to head back out on the road. VU visits Marquette on Tuesday night in Milwaukee (9 p.m. eastern time/FS1 and 610 Sports Radio).