Overview: In its first action under new William B. Finneran Endowed Head Coach Kevin Willard, Villanova took control early and held VCU at bay the rest of the way in a 70-51 victory over VCU in an exhibition game played Sunday at Finneran Pavilion.
 
Freshman guard Acaden Lewis led a balanced attack for VU with 15 points and three assists. Tyler Perkins added 14 points and five rebounds while Bryce Lindsay chipped in with 12 points and six rebounds. Duke Brennan overcame first half foul trouble to deliver 10 points and seven caroms.
 
For Openers: Villanova entered this exhibition affair down a few men. Four Wildcats are unavailable today due to injury: Devin Askew (right knee sprain); Malcolm Flaggs (right achilles strain); Tafara Gapare (right foot injury); and Zion Stanford (left ankle sprain).
 
Fast Pace, Fast Start: Pushing the offensive tempo paid early dividends as the Wildcats reeled off the game's first seven points, highlighted by a Lindsay 3-pointer. VCU's first points came off a pair of free throws that made it a 7-2 Nova lead after the first 4:15.
 
Sophomore transfer Malachi Palmer (Maryland) dropped in five points, including a 3-pointer to help the Wildcats extend that lead to 21-10. Key to the 8-0 surge was an opening defensive salvo that limited the Rams to 3-of-9 shooting from the field (.333) and forced four turnovers.
 
Perk Provides a Lift: The Wildcats endured a stretch where they connected on 1-of-10 field goal attempts, allowing the Rams to narrow their deficit to 28-19. But the only returning Wildcat who saw game action in 2024-25, Perkins, dropped in a 3-pointer to push the lead to 31-19 with 3:48 left on the first half clock.
 
Villanova headed to its locker room with a 37-24 halftime advantage. Lewis was one of six Wildcats to score, with a team-high 10 points. Lindsay contributed eight points and four rebounds to the effort.
 
Nova forced 11 Rams turnovers but committed nine of its own. It notched 20 of its points from inside the paint.
 
D Tales: The Wildcats settled into a defensive groove in the second half, limiting the Rams to 2-of-11 shooting from the floor over the first 8:06 of the period. That helped to offset some choppiness at the offensive end as Villanova built a 48-32 margin.
 
A 3-pointer helped VCU close the gap to 50-37 but freshman guard Chris Jeffery answered with a pretty drive to the goal for a deuce. He was fouled on the play and added the free throw.
 
Each time the Rams closed, however, Villanova had a response. Brennan scored eight of his 10 points after intermission.
 
What They Said:
Willard: "We've had injuries. Dev (Askew) has been out for almost two months. Zion has been out for two weeks. We've had so many injuries it's been tough for us to progress. We didn't even practice the last two days, so I was really proud of the way these guys played.
 
"We're a little bit behind. I think we're struggling a little bit offensively. Defensively, I thought we did some good things."
 
"On defense, I think we're getting there. We have a long way to go on both ends. But I thought our intensity was really good. Both our ball pressure and deflections were good. VCU is just like us. I think there were some first game jitters. It's going to be a little ugly early. It always is."
 
"For us not being able to practice the way we want to practice, I think the guys have done a pretty good job."
 
Lindsay: "I would say that Acaden and I have built a strong chemistry together. This summer we played a lot together. We get up and down. I'm just taking him under my wing, giving him pointers. He's a great player. He understands the game as a point guard. I try not to get on him too much – just let him be free out there."
 
Willard on the four injured Wildcats: "We're hoping to have Dev for the home stand here that starts on Nov. 8. I think we have Queens after BYU. Hopefully Dev will be back then. Zion is still in a boot for another two weeks so he's looking more like December. Tafara will be back this week so that's good. Malcolm is out for a while.
 
"We just have to piece together practice. Once we get Dev back, hopefully after BYU, I think that will help.
 
Today's game was the first of two exhibition contests this week for Villanova. It visits Virginia at 7 p.m. on Friday (Villanova Sports Network on IHeart/ACC Network Extra).