Final Score: Villanova 72, Rider 48
 
Bounced Back: After surrendering 48 second half points in Sunday's 76-75 loss to Maryland, Villanova made sure to lock in at the defensive end in this one. It limited the Broncs to 20 first half points and just four 3-pointers over the full 40 minutes in this convincing victory.
 
Four Wildcats ended the night in double figures, led by 16 points from Eric Dixon. This too was a marked contrast to the prior game when Dixon shouldered much of the offense, tallying a career-high 38 points. Guard Jhamir Brickus finished with 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting from beyond the 3-point arc.
 
"I thought we really played well defensively," said Villanova head coach Kyle Neptune. "We got some stops. We started a little slowly shooting the ball, but if we can defend like that we're going to be in a good spot."
 
D Delivered Early: The two teams were a combined 4-of-15 from the floor over the first four minutes but Villanova warmed up first. Jhamir Brickus sank two from beyond the 3-point arc and Wooga Poplar and Eric Dixon added a deep ball of their own to give the Wildcats a 16-10 lead after 8:14 of the first half.
 
The Broncs cut the deficit to 16-14 before a Jordan Longino 3-pointer from the corner pushed the edge to 19-14 with 7:44 to play in the period. The Broncs closed to within 23-20 before a 5-0 spurt capped by a transition 3-pointer when Brickus found an open Tyler Perkins, made it 28-20 in favor of the Wildcats at the under 4-minute break of the first half.
 
Villanova sprinkled in some zone defense, including ¾ court pressure, with its customary man-to-man over the course of the night.
 
"We have the ability to defend in multiple ways," said Neptune.
 
Turned the Page: One sure-fire way to create offense is through stellar defense. The Wildcats did just that over the final 4:17 of the period, forcing five Bronc turnovers that helped key a 13-0 run to conclude the half. Rider committed 12 turnovers over the first 20 minutes and that helped VU earn a 17-5 edge in points off turnovers. By night's end it was a 26-9 advantage in points off of turnovers.
 
At halftime Villanova led 36-20 despite connecting on just 12-of-31 field goal attempts in the period (.391). The turnovers were one part of that story. The other was the fact that the 'Cats limited the Broncs to 9-of-23 shooting from the floor in the period (.391).
 
Dixon, who began the night as the No. 3 scorer in NCAA Division I, led the way with 11 points in the first half.
 
Streak Ends: After sinking all 24 of his free throw attempts over his first six appearances in 2024-25, Dixon suffered his first miss during the first half. He sank the second attempt.
 
Second Stanza: The Wildcats scored eight of the first 10 points after intermission with a Jordan Longino 3-pointer helping to ignite the offense. Later in the period Brickus added two more triples to help Nova extend its lead to 59-32 as the clock dipped below the eight-minute mark in the contest.
 
The Wildcats substituted liberally over the final 12 minutes on their way to the 24-point triumph.
 
"We want to get the young guys as many minutes as we can," noted Neptune.
 
Did You Know? Dixon (five assists) and Brickus (three assists) combined for eight assists on the night without registering a turnover.
 
"Eric did a great job passing to find the open man when they doubled him," said Neptune.
 
Thanksgiving is Next: The Wildcats will be off on Thanksgiving before resuming practice on Friday.
 
"I am sure," quipped Neptune, "that Eric and Jhamir are excited to have four days of practice before our next game. I know I am."
 
Up Next: Villanova will serve as host Tuesday night as No. 14 Cincinnati comes to Finneran Pavilion as part of the Big 12/BIG EAST Battle. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m.