Villanova Drained Three Pointers in the First Half in 81 – 66 Win Over Marquette
PHILADELPHIA, PA 2/21/2025 –
The question for the Villanova Wildcats was would there be a carry over from the loss to Connecticut earlier this week? That answer is NO. Villanova came out ready and ended a three-game losing streak and beat the #16 Marquette Golden Eagles for the first time in now nine games 81 – 66 at the Wells Fargo Center. An important win for the Wildcats as they are just a half game behind Xavier for fifth place in the Big East, the last spot to avoid an opening round game in the conference tournament.
“I thought our guys were super focused, especially on the defensive end to start,” said Villanova head coach Kyle Neptune. “It didn’t hurt that we made a bunch of shots, especially early. Either way, we were really good defensively in large parts of that game.”
The Start Was Key for the Wildcats
Villanova started the game ready on both ends of the floor. In the first ten-plus minutes of the game the Wildcats had a 25 – 11 lead. The Nova defense held the Golden Eagles to 4 of 12 shooting and forced a turnover. But when the three-point shots were falling for Nova, the game turned in their direction making 7 of their first 9 three-balls. In the first half the Wildcats made 12 of 15 from beyond the arc. Three players were perfect from deep. Jhamir Brickus sank 5, and Eric Dixon and Jordann Dumont sank 3 each.
Nova held a 46 – 33 lead at halftime, and won the second half 35 – 33.
A Record Night for Jordann Dumont
The freshman forward from Montreal wrote the first big chapter of his collegiate record book. Dumont scored a career-high 15 points shooting a perfect 4 for 4, all three’s, and made his first 3 free throws in college play. Those came when he was fouled shooting from beyond the arc. He set a career-mark in made three-pointers, in minutes with 16, and collected his first assist. He was ready and effective.
“The guys did a good job of just finding me and stay ready when my number was called,” said Dumont.
What the Numbers Say
The Wildcats have played four nationally ranked teams this season, and have won them all.
The nations leading scorer Eric Dixon retuned to the 20-point mark for the first time in three games scoring a team-high 23 points. He got the scoring started for the home team hitting a three-ball 20 seconds into the game.
Brickus finished with 21 points, one shy of his season-high. His 5 three-point baskets tied his season-high. His opening half explosion set the tone for Nova.
“I feel like when I score the ball it opens it up more for my teammates,” Brickus said. “When I get scoring they have to worry about me. So I like to get my teammates open. It opens the floor for me.
Marquette sophomore guard Zaide Lowery also posted a record night with career-highs in points with 25 and rebounds collecting 8 caroms. Chase Ross scored 11 points and Kam Jones got 10.
Up Next
Marquette hosts Providence next. The loss drops the Golden Eagles out of a tie for second place in the conference.
Villanova will travel to Seton Hall next. They played their final home game at the Wells Fargo Center, and gave the fans a lot of excitement in the curtain closer.
“It was bananas,” Brickus said about the crowd. “Definitely was an awesome experience having them out there supporting us and cheer for the whole forty minutes.”
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat should be the Villanova Wildcats motto. After a great win past St.John’s they lost to Providence and UConn in the final minutes. They have to learn to protect a lead and close out a close game by not folding to pressure! That’s been their Achilles heal, plus losing to teams they should have beaten