Final Score: Villanova 93, Penn 49
 
Tyler Set a Tone: A season ago, Tyler Perkins did substantial matchup in the Penn/Villanova matchup at the Palestra for the Quakers, helping lead Penn to a 76-72 win with 22 points and six rebounds. Now a Wildcat after transferring to Villanova in April, Perkins picked up where he left off last November, sinking his first three field goal attempts for seven early points over the first 4:30.
 
That helped Nova craft a 15-10 lead over Penn at the game's first official timeout.
 
But Penn was nearly as efficient offensively, draining 6-of-9, including a trio of 3-pointers, to cut the margin to 21-16 with 11:50 to play in the first half. Another 3-pointer and three free throws after a Villanova foul on an attempt from deep, shaved the VU lead to 23-22 midway through the period. The game was tied at 26 with 7:37 left in the first half.
 
D Fueled a Burst: The Wildcats strung together a series of defensive stops augmented by 3-pointer from Perkins and another from Jhamir Brickus as part of an 11-0 surge that gave VU a 37-26 lead with 3:31 to play until halftime. Villanova held the Quakers without a field goal for 5:24 and forced five turnovers in the span.
 
In fact, the Wildcats would score the final 17 points of the period, holding Penn without a point over the final 7:35. It took a 43-26 lead into the locker room at halftime.
 
Dixon paced Villanova with 11 first half points while Perkins added 10 and Poplar eight. In all, the 'Cats converted 9-of-14 from beyond the 3-point arc (.643) over the first 20 minutes.
 
Kept the heat on: The Wildcats outscored the Quakers 18-5 over the first 6:13 of the second half to expand their lead to 61-31. Over the course of the final 20 minutes they outscored the Quakers 50-23.
 
Transfers Stood Tall: Three of the newest Wildcats made an outsized impact Tuesday night.
 
Perkins finished with 12 points, nine rebounds and three steals in 31:21.
 
"Tyler Perkins is the ultimate competitor," said Villanova head coach Kyle Neptune. "He set the tone. No matter what team he's on, you know he's going to bring it. I thought he brought that to the game. We started great in part because he was intense."
 
Added Perkins on the matchup with his former school: "It was our next game. I was just focused on trying to play Villanova Basketball."
 
La Salle transfer Brickus contributed 16 points, eight assists and just one turnover.
 
"He's another guy that's new and figuring out his role on this team," stated Neptune. "He's figuring out his looks and opportunities throughout the offense. I think he's starting to settle in."
 
Wooga Poplar, who did not start tonight after being late to a team meeting, added 19 points.
 
"It was no big deal with Wooga not starting," said Neptune. "He's a consummate team player who wants to be in it with his teammates."
 
What They Said:
 
More from Neptune: "I thought our guys came out really focused, especially defensively despite some tough shots they made in the beginning. We just wore them out towards the end with our defensive pressure and intensity, just getting stops.
 
On the defense that at one point held Penn without a field goal for 13 minutes: "That's who we've got to be. I thought we were way more cohesive at that end than we've been. Guys were together and talking. Our switches were better. Overall, we played a great defensive game and they made some tough shots early.
 
Up Next: Villanova meets Maryland Sunday at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., at 1 p.m. in the Empire Classic.