Final Score: Villanova 80, Butler 70
 
Overview
 
Eric Dixon's second straight explosive scoring effort helped carry Villanova past Butler 80-70 in the final regular season home game of 2024-25 on Saturday afternoon. The fifth year forward dropped in 34 points on 14-of-21 shooting to move past Keith Herron into third place on the school's all-time scoring list (2,184). This effort came on the heels of a 32-point outburst in Wednesday night's 59-54 win at Seton Hall.
 
Butler dug its way out of a 16-point first half hole to tie the game at 45 early in the second half. But Dixon and Jordan Longino (14 points in his final game at home) ignited a scoring surge coupled with a series of defensive stops that helped the 'Cats create separation.
 
On the day, Villanova limited the Bulldogs to 26-of-65 shooting (.400), including 10-of-28 from beyond the 3-point arc (.357).
 
"That team (Butler) scores," said Villanova head coach Kyle Neptune. "They had spurts where they were scoring but I thought we grinded defensively. There were times when we really shut them down."
 
Six different Wildcats were credited with at least two assists, as part of a day when they had 17 assists on 30 field goals.
 
"We try to take what the defense gives us," noted Neptune. "Jhamir (Brickus) was good getting out in transition, pushing the tempo a little bit. We got some guys loose in space and found the open man. We did a good job of that today."
 
 
Fast Out of the Gates
 
Following a pregame ceremony in which the program saluted seniors Collin O'Toole, Enoch Boakye, Wooga Poplar and Jordan Longino, the Wildcats rode a strong defensive stretch to build a 12-6 lead over Butler through the first 5:46. Butler connected on 2-of-11 in that span while Nova hit on 5-of-8, including 3-pointers from Brickus and Longino.
 
However, Butler heated up, sinking four straight field goal attempts, including two from deep, to narrow its deficit to 22-17. Four of the Bulldogs first five made field goals came from beyond the 3-point arc. Pierre Brooks did damage, scoring six points off the bench.
 
The Wildcats, though, used a 10-2 spurt, capped by an Eric Dixon transition basket sparked by a Jordann Dumont blocked shot at the other end to grab a 32-19 lead. At that point, Villanova had delivered eight assists on 13 field goals. There was 7:16 to play in the first half.
 
Villanova pushed its advantage to 43-28 before the Bulldogs closed the half on a 7-0 burst. The Wildcats held a 43-35 lead at halftime.
 
Over the first 20 minutes, VU was 17-of-31 from the floor (.548) and 7-of-14 from long distance. Dixon set the scoring pace with 16 points.
 
Butler Battled Back
 
The Bulldogs picked up where they left before halftime, scoring the first three points of the second half before a Poplar drive gave Villanova its first points of the period. Butler, however, scored the next seven points, capped by a Patrick McCaffery 3-pointer to tie the game at 45 with 15:38 to play in the second half.
 
In all, it was a 17-2 run by the Bulldogs.
 
Dixon and Longino helped Villanova get its offense going again, dropping in 3-pointers that allowed Villanova to re-take the lead at 53-49 with 13:40 remaining in the second half. Another McCaffery 3-pointer brought the Bulldogs back to within 53-52. But another Dixon triple, this one at the 12:20 mark, extended Villanova's lead to 56-52. Poplar added a pair of free throws a short while later followed by a 3-pointer, to make it 61-52.
 
Butler never got closer than seven points the rest of the afternoon.
 
What They Said
 
Longino on Senior Day: "Before the game, I really wasn't thinking too much about it. After we won, I kind of realized this was my last game in the Finneran (Pavilion). It was a little emotional. I'm the kind of guy who doesn't really think too much about that. I kind of just worry about the game. I'm happy we got the win."
 
Dixon on what he appreciates about Villanova: "I think it's just the fact that everybody in this program cares. From our managers to our head coach, everybody is invested. They've helped me out. We always say the least we can do is go out there and play hard."
 
Up Next
 
The Wildcats will close out the regular season portion of their schedule on Tuesday night in Washington, D.C. against Georgetown at Capital One Arena. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. (Peacock and the Villanova Sports Network on IHeart).