Unlike the games against Penn and St. Joe's, this one was a classic Big 5 battle. Nova carried a four-point lead into the half, and at several points in the second half looked poised to put the Explorers away. But LaSalle wouldn't fold and Nova needed to make plays down the stretch and make their free throws to finally put it away. We've gotten used to blowouts, but I think this stiff test will be beneficiary, especially with No. 23 Notre Dame looming on Saturday.
Brunson: Career-high 26 points to lead the Cats in scoring, 3 assists. 10-17 from the floor.
Bridges: 16 points (6-8 FG), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
Jenkins: 12 points, 4 rebounds
Hart: 21 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists
Reynolds: 4 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds
DiVincenzo: 8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
Paschall: 2 points, 7 rebounds
Jenkins had a rare off-night shooting the ball (4-13, 2-7). Bridges continues to be all over the place, and it should be really fun to watch this kid's game grow. As usual, excellent energy from Paschall. Gotta love the effort you get from Hart, it goes a long way when your best player is also diving all over the court and making the hustle plays. The more I watch DiVincezno, the more excited I get about what he can eventually be. Stellar night from Brunson as well.
Cats shot 51% from the floor and 42% from three. LaSalle showed good shot making ability, shooting 52% from the floor and 38% from three. Another great job at team rebounding, as Nova won the battle on the boards 36-30. And perhaps the most encouraging number, just 6 turnovers for Nova.
It's fun to watch your team blow teams out, and it's a lot easier on the nerves, but nothing wrong with getting a good test. I would expect Villanova to come out focused and prepared for Notre Dame on Saturday. Then Nova will look to sweep the city series and become the first team to win 4 straight Big 5 titles with a win over Temple next Tuesday.
Brunson: Career-high 26 points to lead the Cats in scoring, 3 assists. 10-17 from the floor.
Bridges: 16 points (6-8 FG), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
Jenkins: 12 points, 4 rebounds
Hart: 21 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists
Reynolds: 4 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds
DiVincenzo: 8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
Paschall: 2 points, 7 rebounds
Jenkins had a rare off-night shooting the ball (4-13, 2-7). Bridges continues to be all over the place, and it should be really fun to watch this kid's game grow. As usual, excellent energy from Paschall. Gotta love the effort you get from Hart, it goes a long way when your best player is also diving all over the court and making the hustle plays. The more I watch DiVincezno, the more excited I get about what he can eventually be. Stellar night from Brunson as well.
Cats shot 51% from the floor and 42% from three. LaSalle showed good shot making ability, shooting 52% from the floor and 38% from three. Another great job at team rebounding, as Nova won the battle on the boards 36-30. And perhaps the most encouraging number, just 6 turnovers for Nova.
It's fun to watch your team blow teams out, and it's a lot easier on the nerves, but nothing wrong with getting a good test. I would expect Villanova to come out focused and prepared for Notre Dame on Saturday. Then Nova will look to sweep the city series and become the first team to win 4 straight Big 5 titles with a win over Temple next Tuesday.
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