Villanova defeats Marquette 73-76
Villanova Escapes Fiserv Forum with Thrilling 76-73 Win Over Marquette
In a back-and-forth affair, Villanova (AWAY) edged out Marquette (HOME) 76-73 in a highly anticipated conference matchup at the Fiserv Forum on Monday night. The Wildcats' 3-point shooting and defensive prowess proved too much for the Golden Eagles to handle, as they emerged victorious despite trailing by two points at halftime.
As the game progressed, Villanova's bench began to make its presence felt, with several reserves chipping in on offense and defense. Meanwhile, Marquette struggled to find consistency on both ends of the floor, ultimately falling short against the more disciplined Wildcats.
Acaden Lewis led the way for Villanova with 20 points, including a game-high 8 assists. Devin Askew added 13 points and 6 rebounds, while Acaden's teammate Devin Askew, not mentioned previously, chipped in with valuable contributions off the bench.
Nigel James Jr., who had a monster game for Marquette, finished with 31 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome Villanova's relentless defense. The Wildcats held Marquette to just 35% shooting from beyond the arc, limiting their opponent's 3-point threat significantly.
Marquette struggled on both ends of the floor, committing 14 turnovers and allowing Villanova to score in transition time and again. Despite a strong all-around effort from Chase Ross, who pulled down 4 rebounds and scored 8 points, Marquette couldn't overcome its own mistakes.
The game's turning point came midway through the second half, when Villanova took a 10-point lead on several occasions before Marquette fought back to tie the score with just over two minutes remaining. However, Villanova's defense stiffened in the final minute, forcing two crucial turnovers and securing the win.
In the end, Villanova's discipline and shooting ultimately proved too much for Marquette. The Wildcats' 3-point shooting (28.0%) was a major factor in their victory, as they connected on key shots down the stretch to seal the win.
The win improves Villanova's chances in conference play, while Marquette drops its first game of the season against ranked opponents.
Game Stats
Marquette (HOME)
Field Goals: 25/57 (44.0%)
2-Point FG: 14/26 (53.8%)
3-Point FG: 11/31 (35.0%)
Free Throws: 12/15 (80.0%)
Rebounds: 27 (Off: 10, Def: 17)
Assists: 14
Turnovers: 9
Steals: 8
Blocks: 1
Total Fouls: 11
Villanova (AWAY)
Field Goals: 31/56 (55.0%)
2-Point FG: 24/31 (77.4%)
3-Point FG: 7/25 (28.0%)
Free Throws: 7/7 (100.0%)
Rebounds: 26 (Off: 6, Def: 20)
Assists: 14
Turnovers: 10
Steals: 7
Blocks: 3
Total Fouls: 16