Defending NCAA champ Villanova holds off Saint Mary's
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Villanova got off to a slow start in defense of its NCAA championship against a determined, defensive-minded Saint Mary's team that came in confident after a season-defining win.
But the Wildcats, a No. 6 seed in this NCAA Tournament after an up-and-down season, have one thing no team in the field of 64 has: a pair of leaders who have won two national titles.
Phil Booth scored 20 points, fellow senior Eric Paschell added 14 and Villanova held off 11th-seeded Saint Mary's 61-57 on Thursday night.
''We're growing, our young guys are growing, but we have two seniors who do everything for us, on and off the court,'' coach Jay Wright said. ''We're just so lucky to have them.''
Sophomore Jermaine Sameuls added 12 points for the Wildcats (26-9), who led for almost 33 minutes, but never by more than eight points.
''The tempo was excruciating,'' Wright said. ''We felt going in we were going to have to grind with them.''
The Gaels used the same slow pace to upset Gonzaga in the West Coast Conference Tournament, and it gave them a chance against Villanova (26-9) in a tense opening-round matchup.
Jordan Ford and Malik Fitts each had 13 points for Saint Mary's (22-12). Ford's basket in the lane after a few nifty moves got the Gaels within six points at 61-55 with 34 seconds left.
After Paschell missed a foul shot on the other end, Fitts cut the deficit to four points with a leaner in the lane. The Gaels had two more chances in the final seconds, but Fitts hit the rim on a 3-point attempt and Villanova freshman Saddiq Bey stole the ball from Ford in the final seconds to seal the win.
''We had a few games this year where we put the press on and were able to get back in the game,'' said Ford. ''And if we get a few of those loose balls, or maybe make a three when we were down four, I think it's a different game.''
Saint Mary's led 30-28 at the half, but Booth scored the first five points after intermission during a 12-3 run that put the Wildcats up 40-33. He had 12 points and five of his six assists in the second half.
''We weren't doing that bad, actually,'' Booth said. ''It was more that they were playing very well and we were trying to match how they were bringing it. I think we just had to take it to another level, because they were playing at a high level.''
BIG PICTURE
Villanova: The defending champions are in the tournament for the 14th time in 15 seasons and improved to 14-1 since 2016.
Saint Mary's: The Gaels are 4-6 in opening-round games in the NCAA Tournament and 5-10 overall. Saint Mary's has advanced to the Sweet 16 once in the modern era when it beat the Wildcats in 2010. There's a reminder of that run in the hallway outside the locker room that the players see as they walk out to practice each day in McKeon Pavilion.
EMPTY ARENA
The game tipped to a relatively empty arena, but it wasn't because nobody had bought tickets.
Fans of the Wildcats, many of whom made the 4-hour drive from Philadelphia to Hartford, Connecticut, were lined up along with Gaels fans behind metal detectors as security emptied the arena from the afternoon session.
''You worry about those things, you know?'' Wright said. ''We have a lot of guys in the NCAA Tournament for the first time thinking, `This is the NCAA Tournament?' There's no one in the stands.''
By halftime, the 16,000-seat XL Center was nearing capacity, but some frustrated fans were sill filing in.
FROM DISTANCE
The game was billed as a battle between one of the nation's top 3-point shooting teams in Villanova against some of the nation's best perimeter defenders. In the end, the Wildcats finished 8 of 20 from behind the arc, while Saint Mary's was 8 of 22.
ON THE BOARDS
The taller Gaels won the rebounding battle 33-29 and 10-5 on the offensive end. The Wildcats didn't have an offensive board until the second half and that led to an 11-4 advantage for Saint Mary's in second-chance points. Wright said this year's team was hurt by the transfer of 6-foot-9 Dylan Painter, but is going to have to find a way against taller opponents.
UP NEXT
Villanova will play either No. 3 seed Purdue or 14th-seeded Old Dominion in the second round Saturday.
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Time | Team | Play | Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|
20:00 | Jumpball received by Saint Mary's | |||
19:56 | Backcourt turnover on Tanner Krebs | |||
19:43 | +3 | Jermaine Samuels made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Phil Booth | 0-3 | |
19:10 | Jordan Ford missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
19:08 | Offensive rebound by Saint Mary's | |||
19:08 | Shot clock violation turnover on Saint Mary's | |||
18:47 | +3 | Saddiq Bey made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Eric Paschall | 0-6 | |
18:25 | +2 | Jordan Hunter made layup, assist by Tommy Kuhse | 2-6 | |
18:03 | Personal foul on Jordan Hunter | |||
17:56 | Personal foul on Tommy Kuhse | |||
17:54 | +2 | Phil Booth made jump shot, assist by Saddiq Bey | 2-8 | |
17:23 | Shooting foul on Saddiq Bey | |||
17:23 | +1 | Malik Fitts made 1st of 2 free throws | 3-8 | |
17:23 | Malik Fitts missed 2nd of 2 free throws | |||
17:23 | Defensive rebound by Jermaine Samuels | |||
17:06 | Lost ball turnover on Eric Paschall | |||
16:46 | +3 | Tanner Krebs made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Tommy Kuhse | 6-8 | |
16:23 | Phil Booth missed jump shot, blocked by Tommy Kuhse | |||
16:21 | Defensive rebound by Malik Fitts | |||
15:57 | Tanner Krebs missed layup | |||
15:55 | Defensive rebound by Collin Gillespie | |||
15:50 | Eric Paschall missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
15:48 | Defensive rebound by Tommy Kuhse | |||
15:23 | Malik Fitts missed jump shot | |||
15:21 | Offensive rebound by Matthias Tass | |||
15:16 | Tanner Krebs missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
15:14 | Defensive rebound by Jermaine Samuels | |||
15:02 | +3 | Collin Gillespie made 3-pt. jump shot | 6-11 | |
14:40 | +2 | Jordan Ford made driving layup | 8-11 | |
14:17 | Eric Paschall missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
14:15 | Defensive rebound by Matthias Tass | |||
14:02 | Tommy Kuhse missed jump shot | |||
14:00 | Defensive rebound by Phil Booth | |||
13:37 | Eric Paschall missed jump shot | |||
13:35 | Defensive rebound by Malik Fitts | |||
13:14 | +2 | Jordan Ford made jump shot | 10-11 | |
12:47 | Collin Gillespie missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
12:45 | Defensive rebound by Malik Fitts | |||
12:31 | Shooting foul on Collin Gillespie | |||
12:31 | Tanner Krebs missed 1st of 2 free throws | |||
12:31 | Tanner Krebs missed 2nd of 2 free throws | |||
12:31 | Defensive rebound by Jermaine Samuels | |||
12:20 | Jermaine Samuels missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
12:18 | Defensive rebound by Saint Mary's | |||
11:49 | Tanner Krebs missed jump shot | |||
11:47 | Offensive rebound by Saint Mary's | |||
11:45 | Jordan Hunter missed jump shot | |||
11:43 | Defensive rebound by Joe Cremo | |||
11:32 | Joe Cremo missed jump shot | |||
11:30 | Defensive rebound by Saint Mary's | |||
11:22 | Personal foul on Eric Paschall | |||
11:07 | Jordan Ford missed layup, blocked by Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree | |||
11:05 | Offensive rebound by Saint Mary's | |||
11:03 | +3 | Matthias Tass made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Jordan Ford | 13-11 | |
10:41 | Shooting foul on Tommy Kuhse | |||
10:41 | Phil Booth missed 1st of 3 free throws | |||
10:41 | +1 | Phil Booth made 2nd of 3 free throws | 13-12 | |
10:41 | +1 | Phil Booth made 3rd of 3 free throws | 13-13 | |
10:15 | Jordan Ford missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
10:13 | Defensive rebound by Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree | |||
10:01 | +2 | Eric Paschall made turnaround jump shot | 13-15 | |
9:26 | Tanner Krebs missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
9:24 | Defensive rebound by Collin Gillespie | |||
9:16 | +2 | Eric Paschall made jump shot | 13-17 | |
8:45 | +2 | Matthias Tass made jump shot | 15-17 | |
8:26 | Personal foul on Matthias Tass | |||
8:19 | +2 | Collin Gillespie made reverse layup | 15-19 | |
7:58 | Malik Fitts missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
7:56 | Defensive rebound by Saddiq Bey | |||
7:47 | Eric Paschall missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
7:45 | Defensive rebound by Tommy Kuhse | |||
7:30 | +2 | Jordan Ford made floating jump shot | 17-19 | |
7:07 | +2 | Eric Paschall made driving layup | 17-21 | |
6:49 | +3 | Malik Fitts made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Tommy Kuhse | 20-21 | |
6:18 | +2 | Phil Booth made jump shot | 20-23 | |
5:57 | +3 | Tanner Krebs made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Jordan Hunter | 23-23 | |
5:34 | +2 | Phil Booth made jump shot | 23-25 | |
5:10 | Jordan Ford missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
5:08 | Defensive rebound by Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree | |||
4:58 | Lost ball turnover on Collin Gillespie, stolen by Jordan Hunter | |||
4:39 | Malik Fitts missed jump shot | |||
4:37 | Offensive rebound by Jordan Hunter | |||
4:36 | Jordan Hunter missed dunk | |||
4:33 | Offensive rebound by Saint Mary's | |||
4:06 | +2 | Tommy Kuhse made floating jump shot | 25-25 | |
3:37 | Bad pass turnover on Phil Booth | |||
3:09 | Jordan Ford missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
3:07 | Defensive rebound by Eric Paschall | |||
2:45 | Collin Gillespie missed jump shot | |||
2:43 | Defensive rebound by Jordan Ford | |||
2:28 | Tanner Krebs missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
2:26 | Defensive rebound by Eric Paschall | |||
2:04 | Eric Paschall missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
2:02 | Defensive rebound by Tanner Krebs | |||
1:44 | +3 | Tommy Kuhse made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Matthias Tass | 28-25 | |
1:18 | +3 | Jermaine Samuels made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Collin Gillespie | 28-28 | |
44.0 | +2 | Malik Fitts made jump shot | 30-28 | |
15.0 | Phil Booth missed floating jump shot | |||
13.0 | Defensive rebound by Dan Fotu | |||
0.0 | Tanner Krebs missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
0.0 | Defensive rebound by Villanova | |||
0.0 | End of period |
Time | Team | Play | Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|
19:47 | +2 | Phil Booth made jump shot | 30-30 | |
19:17 | Tanner Krebs missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
19:15 | Defensive rebound by Saddiq Bey | |||
19:03 | +2 | Phil Booth made floating jump shot | 30-32 | |
19:05 | Shooting foul on Tommy Kuhse | |||
19:05 | +1 | Phil Booth made free throw | 30-33 | |
18:45 | +3 | Jordan Ford made 3-pt. jump shot | 33-33 | |
18:14 | +2 | Eric Paschall made jump shot, assist by Jermaine Samuels | 33-35 | |
17:56 | Jordan Ford missed layup, blocked by Jermaine Samuels | |||
17:54 | Defensive rebound by Collin Gillespie | |||
17:49 | +3 | Saddiq Bey made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Phil Booth | 33-38 | |
17:15 | Jordan Ford missed jump shot | |||
17:13 | Defensive rebound by Jermaine Samuels | |||
17:00 | Saddiq Bey missed jump shot | |||
16:58 | Defensive rebound by Tommy Kuhse | |||
16:33 | Lost ball turnover on Malik Fitts, stolen by Phil Booth | |||
16:28 | +2 | Jermaine Samuels made dunk, assist by Phil Booth | 33-40 | |
15:58 | Matthias Tass missed hook shot | |||
15:56 | Defensive rebound by Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree | |||
15:43 | Phil Booth missed jump shot | |||
15:41 | Offensive rebound by Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree | |||
15:41 | Personal foul on Malik Fitts | |||
15:30 | Jermaine Samuels missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
15:28 | Defensive rebound by Matthias Tass | |||
15:13 | +2 | Tanner Krebs made jump shot | 35-40 | |
14:50 | +2 | Phil Booth made driving layup | 35-42 | |
14:21 | +3 | Malik Fitts made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Jordan Ford | 38-42 | |
13:54 | +3 | Eric Paschall made 3-pt. jump shot, assist by Phil Booth | 38-45 | |
13:28 | Jordan Ford missed floating jump shot | |||
13:26 | Offensive rebound by Dan Fotu | |||
13:05 | +2 | Matthias Tass made layup | 40-45 | |
12:40 | Eric Paschall missed jump shot | |||
12:38 | Defensive rebound by Malik Fitts | |||
12:13 | Malik Fitts missed jump shot, blocked by Eric Paschall | |||
12:11 | Offensive rebound by Malik Fitts | |||
12:06 | Shot clock violation turnover on Saint Mary's | |||
11:45 | Eric Paschall missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
11:43 | Offensive rebound by Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree | |||
11:35 | +2 | Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree made layup | 40-47 | |
11:07 | Jordan Ford missed 3-pt. jump shot | |||
11:05 | Defensive rebound by Jermaine Samuels | |||
10:56 | Lost ball turnover on Saddiq Bey, stolen by Matthias Tass | |||
10:39 |