WASH DC – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – Villanova used a strong defensive effort to earn a 70-54 victory at Georgetown in Friday’s lone contest. No. 1 Connecticut hosting No. 4 Marquette headlines a three-game Saturday.
Villanova (14-11, 7-7 BIG EAST) held Georgetown (8-17, 1-13) to 34.4 percent shooting in its win over the Hoyas. TJ Bamba led four Wildcats with 14 points. He also made four steals. Villanova led 38-29 at halftime. After an early run by the Hoyas in the second half, the Wildcats were in control. Rowan Brumbaugh came off the bench to contribute 14 points and five assists to the Hoya cause.
In the second game of a doubleheader today on FOX, No. 1 UConn hosts No. 4 Marquette at 3 p.m. ET at XL Center. It’s only the third time in the BIG EAST’s current configuration that two league teams ranked in the AP top five have met. UConn has won 13 in a row while Marquette is riding an eight-game winning streak. The Huskies are 13-0 on their homecourts this season. Last year, the Golden Eagles took two of three meetings, including a 70-68 decision in the BIG EAST Tournament semifinals.
The first game on FOX is an important contest to No. 17 Creighton and Butler and their battle at Hinkle Fieldhouse at 12:30 p.m. The Bluejays are tied for third place with Seton Hall at 9-5. Butler is in a four-way logjam at 7-7 with Providence, Xavier and Villanova.