DePaul Blue Demons vs Villanova Wildcats Box Score on Feb 08, 2023

Caleb Daniels scored 18 points while Justin Moore and Cam Whitmore added 17 apiece as host Villanova defeated DePaul 81-65 on Wednesday.

Eric Dixon had 13 points and eight rebounds and Brandon Slater chipped in with 10 points for the Wildcats (11-13, 5-8 Big East), who snapped a three-game losing streak.

Villanova retired former guard Jalen Brunson's No. 1 jersey and also recognized Hall of Famer and former head coach Jay Wright, who won more than 500 games and two national championships at the school.

Villanova capitalized on a final 11-0 run to push a 70-65 lead into a commanding 81-65 advantage, which turned out to be the final score.

Slater hit a 3-pointer with 2:32 remaining and Dixon converted a three-point play with 1:40 left to key the run.

Umoja Gibson and Javan Johnson led DePaul (9-16, 3-11) with 18 points apiece.

The Blue Demons, who shot 7-of-25 from 3-point territory, went the final 3:43 without scoring.

Since defeating then-No. 8 Xavier 73-72 on Jan. 18, DePaul has now lost six straight.

Gibson converted a four-point play with 16:48 left and the Blue Demons pulled ahead 41-40.

Daniels dropped in a 15-foot jump shot with 11:30 remaining and Villanova led 50-49.

Daniels stayed hot and made consecutive 3-pointers to put the Wildcats ahead 62-56 with 8:02 to go.

The Blue Demons trailed 65-61 when Johnson hit a trey with 6:25 remaining.

DePaul built a 21-12 lead with 10:37 left in the first half following a 3-pointer by Johnson.

After missing their first six treys, Daniels connected to close the Wildcats within six with 9:18 remaining. That basket triggered an 8-0 Villanova run and the deficit was cut to 21-20.

The Wildcats went ahead by eight and then Caleb Murphy cut to the basket, received a pass and scored as DePaul trailed 33-27 with 3:18 to go.

Villanova led 37-34 at halftime despite shooting just 4-of-17 from 3-point territory.

--Field Level Media