Villanova Univeristy Athletics

Overview
 
Villanova got an offensive boost from senior forward Devin Royal in the first half (15 points) and Tyler Perkins (all 20 of his points on the day came in the final 20 minutes) to lead the Wildcats past George Mason 84-67 in an exhibition game played Saturday at Finneran Pavilion.
 
Nova pulled away from the Patriots in the second half to overcome a sluggish shooting day from the field (28-of-71, .394).
 
Royal finished with 25 points to go with eight rebounds.
 
"I played against (Royal) for two years, " Villanova head coach Kevin Willard said. "I didn't have to watch film of him or Kwame (Evans Jr.) because I had seen so much of him live. I respected them from having gone up against them.
 
"Dev's versatile. I'm still trying to figure out everybody. The only guys I know well are Matt (Hodge) and Perk. I know their games. Everyone else, I'm still trying to figure it out. That's why I think games like this, against well-coached teams, are good."
 
For Starters
 
In his postgame comments last Sunday, Villanova head coach Willard mentioned that exhibition play offers him the opportunity to experiment with lineups. This afternoon's starting five included three holdovers from the win at Rutgers –Perkins, Royal and Luigi Suigo – along with Jake Fiegen and Darryl Simmons II.
 
Villanova was again without Kwame Evans Jr., (left leg injury, day-to-day) and Hodge (recovery from ACL surgery).
 
Triple Time
 
A Royal three pointer and two more from beyond the arc by Simmons helped stake Villanova to an 11-7 lead at the first official timeout 4:09 into this contest. Both Suigo and reserve center Nico Onyekwere were whistled for two fouls in that span, though, limiting the interior options early in the period. Onyekwere would be assessed his third personal foul later in the period.
 
Freshman Adam Oumiddoch gave the 'Cats a boost off the bench with five points – including a 3-pointer - midway through the half, helping Villanova extend its lead to 21-12 after 9:04 of game action. The Virginia native finished with 12 points, five rebounds and two assists in 20:48.
 
"He's got great confidence and work ethic," Willard stated. "We just need him to get a little stronger and he has to understand both ends of the floor. I think he's starting to understand how big a weapon he is by getting up the floor. He's going to continue to get better."
 
An 8-0 spurt by the Patriots brought Geoge Mason back to within 29-25 at the final official timeout of the first half.
 
At halftime, Royal led all scorers with 15 points. Villanova took a 37-28 advantage into the locker room. Brayden O'Connor paced the Patriots with 11 first-half points.
 
Second Act
 
The Wildcats stretched their lead to 45-33 at the first official timeout of the second half. But George Mason drained 3-pointers on consecutive possessions to close to within 45-39. Perkins answered with his first deep ball of the day to push the lead back to 48-39.
 
The Patriots twice shaved the margin to six points, but the Wildcats quickly pushed the lead back to double digits thanks largely to the work of Perkins.
 
The final was 84-67.
 
What They Said
 
Royal: "I feel very confident. We play a lot during practice, get up and down the court so you get to know your teammates well. I've worked hard so when I take those shots, I feel very confident."