Wildcat Wrap
 
Final Score: Villanova 65, UCLA 56
 
Fast Start: In the absence of Justin Moore (sprained right knee), Jordan Longino earned his first starting assignment of 2023-24. He promptly dropped in a 3-pointer to help Villanova build an early 7-3 edge over the Bruins. UCLA scored the next four before the Wildcats used a 6-0 burst to establish a 13-7 lead after 8:35 of the first half.
 
While Villanova had the upper hand at the defensive end in the first eight minutes, it was the Bruins who turned the tables midway through the period. The Wildcats endured a scoring drought of more than six minutes, misfiring on 12 straight from the field. UCLA took the lead at 14-13 with just more than seven minutes to play in the half. It added a 3-pointer to make it 17-13.
 
Eric Dixon's jump hook ended the drought and closed the gap to 17-15. Moments later, Hakim Hart's second 3-pointer of the night pushed Nova back on top 20-19 with 3:21 left in the first half.
 
UCLA responded with a 10-0 burst to retake the lead at 29-22 with 1:05 remaining in the period.
 
The Bruins held a 29-25 lead at intermission.
 
After the Break: Mark Armstrong gave Nova a offensive burst, adding five points in the first 4:12 of the second half to help the Wildcats forge a 31-31 tie with the Bruins. Tyler Burton provided some critical scoring to help Villanova go back on top at 41-40 with 11:18 left in the second period.
 
A Sebastien Mack basket on a fastbreak gave the Bruins the lead back at 42-41. That was followed by a traditional 3-point play by Adem Bona to put UCLA on top 45-41 with 8:24 left. UCLA's defense again slowed the 'Cats, who missed eight consecutive field goal attempts before a Hakim Hart scored four straight points to tie the contest at 45 as the clock ticked toward 7:30 in the period.
 
"I thought that gave us a lift," Hart said of the sequence. "We pride ourselves on defense and rebounding, though, and that's always our main focus."
 
Brendan Hausen sank a 3-pointer off a turnover to give the Wildcats the lead back, 48-45 at the 6:12 mark. Burton added a free throw before another Hausen triple gave the 'Cats a 52-45 lead. They would be in control the rest of the way to snap a 3-game losing streak.
 
"Those of us who have been around Brendan Hausen know who he is," said Neptune. "We've seen him shoot the ball, so we never worry about him.
 
"Honestly, we don't worry about making or missing shots. Our goals are focused on defending and rebounding. I thought we did that at a decently high level and that was the key to the victory."
 
Nnanna Was Noticed: Junior forward Nnanna Njoku gave the Wildcats some key minutes against a very large Bruins frontline. He contributed three rebounds, two blocked shots and was a +7 in 6:59 on the floor.
 
"They were huge," stated Villanova head coach Kyle Neptune. "We just wanted to match up with those guys defensively."
 
Noise Mattered: Neptune gave props to the 16,823 in attendance at the Wells Fargo Center for this one.
 
"I thought the crowd was amazing," he said. " I thought they gave us a jolt."
 
What They Said:  "I'm really proud of our guys," said Neptune. "To be able to grind out a win against a great defensive team. (UCLA) was really together and made it tough. We showed resiliency on a night when we didn't make shots. We had a lot of good ones, didn't make them. We wouldn't have it any other way."
 
Finished With a Flurry: Villanova closed the game on a 24-11 run.