Wildcat Wrap
 
Final Score: Saint Joseph's 78, Wildcats 65
 
Tight Tussle Early: A 6-0 run propelled Saint Joseph's to an 11-6 lead over the Wildcats in the opening minutes of the contest. The Hawks forced five Villanova turnovers in the first seven minutes. A pair of Eric Dixon free throws lifted the Wildcats back into the lead at 16-15 with 11:10 to play in the first half.
 
Both teams heated up from long range midway through the period. Sophomore Brendan Hausen dropped in a pair from deep and Justin Moore added another but the Hawks sank a trio from deep to claim a 26-24 lead with 6:36 left in the period.
 
Dixon's offense helped Villanova forge a tie at 29 before Erik Reynolds II dropped in a long 3-pointer to push the Hawks on top 32-29 at the final official break in the period.
 
Saint Joseph's closed the half on a 14-6 run to build a 43-35 halftime advantage. The Hawks were 17-of-28 from the field (.607) and 7-of-16 (.433) from beyond the 3-point arc in the period. Reynolds II led all scorers with 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the floor.
 
Villanova, meanwhile, got 30 points from Dixon (12), Moore and Hausen (nine each) and was 11-of-21 from the field itself (.521). But its 11 turnovers were a season high for a half and that led to a 10-5 edge for the Hawks in points off turnovers.
 
Second Thoughts: The Hawks scored the first six points of the second half on a pair of 3-pointers to extend their margin to 49-35 at the 17:27 mark. Villanova, meanwhile, misfired on its first seven attempts from the field in the second half.
 
When Moore scored on a drive it gave the Wildcats their first points of the second half and took the graduate student past the 1,500 mark in career points. Jordan Longino followed with a 3-pointer to shave the gap to 49-40.
 
The Wildcats were able to turn up the defensive heat, forcing five Hawks turnovers to chip the deficit down to 52-45 with 10:47 left. The issue was that Villanova was off target at the other end, though, converting just 3-of-14 from the floor in the opening 9:13 of the period.
 
Saint Joseph's scored the next four points, though, and pushed the lead back to 56-45.
When the Hawks drained 3-pointer on consecutive possessions a short time later, the lead was 62-51. The lead expanded to 66-51 as the clock dipped under the six minute mark.
 
A Longino 3-pointer halted the Hawks' run.
 
But in the end, Saint Joseph's execution at the offensive end was too much for the 'Cats to overcome. SJU converted 29-of-51 field goal attempts (.569), including 14-of-27 from distance (.519). The Wildcats, meanwhile, were just 11-of-35 from the field in the second half (.314) and 22-of-56 for the night (.393).
 
Villanova also committed 17 turnovers resulting in a 28-13 advantage for Saint Joseph's in points off turnovers.
 
What They Said: "Congrats to Saint Joe's," said Villanova head coach Kyle Neptune. "They came out, were tough defensively and made some really tough shots as well. They played with a lot of energy and passion."
 
"You try to stay connected to them (defensively). They're really good when they get two on the ball. They have multiple decision-makers and multiple shot-makers. They moved the ball and ran great stuff."  
 
"Saint Joe's shot 57 percent from the field. That was huge."
 
Added Justin Moore: "They played great together moving the ball. They've got great guards."
 
Saint Joseph's head coach Billy Lange. "There is likely not another Division I head coach that respects Villanova University, the Augustinian values or Villanova Basketball more than I do. This is a big part of my life, the five years I spent. They're just a great team, a great program, a great University.
 
"I know what this game means to both fan bases and the city of Philadelphia. We needed to play well tonight and we did."
 
Wright Way: In a ceremony held before the game in front of Finneran Pavilion the thoroughfare between the facility and the Davis Center was renamed "Wright Way" in honor of the 21-year head coaching tenure of Jay and Patty Wright. Vice President and Director of Athletics Mark Jackson was joined by Villanova President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A., in unveiling the new area.
 
Saturday is Set: Villanova will meet Drexel at 2 p.m. in the opening game of the Big Five Classic Saturday at Wells Fargo Center.