Villanova 78, Delaware 70: Stats, highlights and reaction from the Wildcats’ win
It wasn't pretty but Villanova's win against Delaware will help them in Big East play.
Saddiq Bey (left) of Villanova, tries to steal the ball from Nate Darling (right) of Delaware during the 1st half of the Never Forget Tribute Classic at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. on Dec. 14, 2019.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer
NEWARK — Villanova’s offense was like a strategic, finesse-style boxer. The Wildcats kept throwing steady blows that eventually added up to a large amount of success.
There was no overwhelming momentum shift like a Mike Tyson right hook. The offense and defense never looked overly dominant, but the Wildcats (8-2) kept punching their way to a 78-70 victory over a feisty Delaware (9-2) team at the Prudential Center.
Delaware’s leading scorer, Nate Darling, was emphasized defensively. Villanova defenders gave him a tough time in the first half, but he hit a hot streak in the second that cut the Wildcats’ lead to 47-46. That was as close as it got. Every time the Blue Hens put together a mini-run, the Wildcats’ offense would answer.
Keys to the game
Jay Wright teams have been known for their ability to shoot three-pointers. This team can fill it up as well, but that’s not how it will reach its ceiling. Whenever Villanova got the ball inside, there was success. The problem was the Wildcats relied much more on threes. They finished 27-for-57 (47.4%) from the field, including 10-of-31 (32.3%) from three. The Wildcats shot 65.4% on their two-point attempts.
Justin Moore continued to showcase his craftiness and shot-making with 16 points, and Jermaine Samuels scored 13 in the second half to finish with a team-high 18 points. Saddiq Bey added 13, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl had 10 points and eight rebounds.
Most of the game, Delaware and Villanova were close to even in most categories, except for free-throw shooting. Villanova made 14 of its 17 attempts, but the Blue Hens went 7-for-16. Nine missed free throws in an eight-point loss will sting.
Darling led Delaware with 29 points on 10-for-19 shooting.
Jermaine Samuels, left, of Villanova celebrates after forcing a Dellaware turnover in the 2nd half. Justyn Mutts of Delaware is right,. Villanova won their game 78-70 in the Never Forget Tribute Classic at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on Dec. 14, 2019.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer
Saddiq Bey, left, of Villanova tries to steal the ball from Nate Darling, right, of Delaware during the 1st half of the Never Forget Tribute Classic at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on Dec. 14, 2019.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer
Justin Moore of Villanova drives to the basket against Delaware while reflected in the baseline floor during the 1st half of the Never Forget Tribute Classic at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on Dec. 14, 2019. L-R: Cole Swider, Nate Darling, Justin Moore, and Ryan Allen.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer
Jermaine Samuels, right, of Villanova tries unsuccessfully to bloack a shot by Nate Darling of Delaware during the 1st half of the Never Forget Tribute Classic at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on Dec. 14, 2019.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer
Justin Moore, left, and Jeremiah Robinso-Earl, right, of Villanova battle Kevin Anderson, center, of Delaware for a loose ball during the 2nd half of the Never Forget Tribute Classic at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on Dec. 14, 2019.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer
Saddiq Bey, #41, of Villanova blocks a shot by Johnny McCoy, of Delaware during the 1st half of the Never Forget Tribute Classic at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on Dec. 14, 2019.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, bottom, of Villanova and Nate Darling, top, of Delaware go after a loose ball during the 2nd half of the Never Forget Tribute Classic at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on Dec. 14, 2019.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer
Delaware Coach Martin Ingelsby reacts late in their loss to Villanova in the Never Forget Tribute Classic at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on Dec. 14, 2019.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer
Saddiq Bey, left, of Villanova and Justyn Mutts, right, of Delaware go after a rebound during the 2nd t half of the Never Forget Tribute Classic at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on Dec. 14, 2019.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer
Cole Swider, top, of Villanova comes from behind to black a shot by Ryan Allen of Delaware during the 1st half of the Never Forget Tribute Classic at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on Dec. 14, 2019.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer
Collin Gillespie, left, of Villanova and Nate Darling, right, of Delaware go after a loose ball during the 1st half of the Never Forget Tribute Classic at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on Dec. 14, 2019.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer
Jermaine Samuels, left, of Villanova shoots over Nate Darling, right, of Delaware during the 2ndhalf of the Never Forget Tribute Classic at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on Dec. 14, 2019.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer
Justyn Mutts, left, of Delaware and Jermaine Samuels, rightt, of Villanova go after a loose ball in the 2nd half. Justyn Mutts of Delaware is right,. Villanova won their game 78-70 in the Never Forget Tribute Classic at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on Dec. 14, 2019.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer
Justin Moore of Villanova drives to the basket against Nate Darling, of Delaware while reflected in the baseline floor during the 1st half of the Never Forget Tribute Classic at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on Dec. 14, 2019.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer
Former Villanova player Dylan Painter, right, of Delaware will not become elgible to compete till Sunday and was not able to play against his former team in the Never Forget Tribute Classic at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on Dec. 14, 2019. He greets Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree after the gam,e.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer
The Villanova team huddles before their game against Delaware in the Never Forget Tribute Classic at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on Dec. 14, 2019.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer
Quotable
“We’re an inexperienced team that every new situation or game is a learning lesson for us,” coach Jay Wright said. “We learned a lot today.”
“[Nate Darling] is a heck of a player,” Villanova’s Jermaine Samuels said. “The ability to shoot the ball, and I think people underrated his ball-handling ability to get downhill.”
“I think like Coach said, this truly humbles us, because we don’t try to look at the results of the game, we try to look at how we played throughout the game," Villanova’s Saddiq Bey said.
Takeaways
The Wildcats controlled the game. They led for the final 38 minutes, 31 seconds after Delaware scored the first basket. These types of games will prepare Wright’s young squad on how to play in tight games in conference play.
Looking at the stats can sometimes lead to incorrect assumptions. Villanova attempted 31 three-pointers, but most of them were good looks. It’s a make-or-miss game, and on another given night, the Wildcats are more than capable of hitting a higher percentage on those types of looks.
This was the fourth annual Never Forget Tribute Classic. Mississippi State beat Kansas State, 67-61, in the first game of the doubleheader. The tournament was created to honor the men and women who are tasked with protecting the country’s freedom since 9/11.
