Final Stats | Photo Gallery

NEWARK, N.J.-- The No. 2 ranked Villanova Wildcats revved up their offense Saturday, connecting on a season-high .673 of their attempts from the field, on the way to a 92-70 victory over Seton Hall (16-10 overall, 6-8 BIG EAST).

Sophomore Jalen Brunson and senior Kris Jenkins were a combined 15-of-17 from the field and each finished with 22 points. National player of the year candidate Josh Hart added 19 points. Brunson also added a career-high 10 asssists.

With the win, Villanova (26-2 overall, 13-2 BIG EAST) assured itself of at least a part of the BIG EAST regular season title. It has three games remaining, beginning Wednesday night at the Pavilion against second-place Butler.

"We made shots," stated VU head coach Jay Wright. "When you make shots you're going to win most games. We made some tough shots -- it wasn't their defense.

"We haven't shot the ball that well in a while. I think that was a big difference in the game. That was one of our best offensive performances we've had this season."

Seton Hall steamed out to a 9-3 lead as junior forward Angel Delgado (19 points and 12 rebounds in this one) went to work on the interior on a Wildcat unit playing without senior forward Darryl Reynolds for the third consecutive contest (rib injury). Villanova, however, bounced back with an 11-2 spurt of its owned keyed by Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart.

The Wildcats extended their advantage 22-15 midway through the period before Delgado once again went to work on the inside. After 12 minutes he had 10 points and five rebounds as the Hall got back to within 23-19 with 7:42 to play in the period.

With just under five minutes to play in the first half, Josh Hart was whistled for his second foul in less than a minute of game time. The Hall were able to climb to within 31-30 after a Desi Rodriguez 3-point basket.

Yet without its national player of the year candidate, Villanova found a way to finish the period strong. Brunson was electric in this stretch, finding cutting teammates for open looks and scoring himself. He finished the first half with 18 points and three assists as VU took a 42-31 lead over the Pirates into the locker room at halftime.

"That was big," noted Wright. "It was a close game, we had Josh in foul trouble. We got some good defensive stops, though, Mikal (Bridges) made a three, we got out in transition. All of that came off our defense, which was really important."

Villanova kept the heat up in the early minutes of the second half. Sophomore Eric Paschall drained 3-pointers on consecutive possessions and the Wildcats used 15-4 run to build a 57-35 lead with 15:37 to play in the period.

Seton Hall heated its offense enough but never got closer than a 16 point deficit. The final count was 92-70.

Wright spoke glowingly of Brunson's effort, his first career double-double.

"Jalen just controlled the game," stated Wright. "When he sees that we need scoring from that position, he does that. When he sees we to get organized, he does it. That's the beauty of a great point guard. Some guys can score but aren't as good at running an offense. Or they are good at getting other people shots but not as good at scoring themselves. Jalen does both."

This contest concludes a road stretch for the Wildcats that began last Saturday at Xavier. Villanova returns to its on-campus home on Wednesday night to host Butler (9 p.m./ FS1 and 610 Sports Radio in the penultimate game for the current incarnation of the Pavilion.

It was announced earlier this week that Villanova's Board of Trustees had approved a renovation plan that will begin in June 2017. When the building re-opens in the fall of 2018, it will assume the name of the Finneran Pavilion. For more information on the project, readers can visit finneranpavilion.com.