1 | 2 | T | |
---|---|---|---|
DEP | 25 | 32 | 57 |
VILL | 27 | 31 | 58 |
Justin Moore's 3-pointer at 8 seconds left lifts Villanova past 24-point underdog DePaul in Big East
NEW YORK -- — Justin Moore made a 3-pointer with eight seconds left in the second half and sixth-seeded Villanova escaped a huge upset by beating 24-point underdog DePaul 58-57 Wednesday night to advance to the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament.
The Wildcats (18-14), desperate for wins to pad their NCAA Tournament resume, face third-seeded and 10th-ranked Marquette on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden.
Jalen Terry’s pull-up jumper gave the Blue Demons (3-29) a 57-55 lead with 1:13 left, but DePaul could not pad its advantage. Villanova was down two with 17 seconds left and came out of a timeout with a play that got Moore a good look from 3 and he swished the shot.
“Thank God for Justin Moore,” coach Kyle Neptune said.
Moore finished with 10 points as Villanova shot just 11 for 35 from 3-point range.
“In the moment, I just wanted to win. Big time players make big time plays,” Moore said.
DePaul rushed down the court with a timeout left, but couldn't get off a shot as Terry turned the ball over. The Blue Demons ended their season with a 20-game losing streak.
Terry finished with 18 points and 15 rebounds to lead 11th-seeded DePaul.
“I feel like we were more connected today than any other day. I don't know what it was,” Terry said.
The Blue Demons endured maybe the worst season in Big East history, becoming the first team to go 0-20 in the conference during the regular season. Coach Tony Stubblefield was fired in late January and replaced by assistant Matt Brady, who finished his stint as interim coach without a victory.
“Grateful for our guys for playing a 40-minute game,” Brady said.
The Wildcats went up 52-50 on Eric Dixon's 3 with 4:43 left in the second half, but Elijah Fisher muscled his way inside for a layup to tie it with 3:25 remaining.
Dixon scored 21 points to lead the Wildcats.
Da'Sean Nelson put DePaul up 55-52 on a three-point play with 1:52 left, but Dixon responded with a straight-on 3 to tie it moments later.
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AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
Game Information
- Referees:
- Jeff Clark
- Lamar Simpson
- Greg Evans
2023-24 Big East Conference Standings
Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
---|---|---|---|
UConn | 18-2 | - | 37-3 |
Marquette | 14-6 | 4 | 27-10 |
Creighton | 14-6 | 4 | 25-10 |
Seton Hall | 13-7 | 5 | 25-12 |
St. John's | 11-9 | 7 | 20-13 |
Providence | 10-10 | 8 | 21-14 |
Villanova | 10-10 | 8 | 18-16 |
Butler | 9-11 | 9 | 18-15 |
Xavier | 9-11 | 9 | 16-18 |
Georgetown | 2-18 | 16 | 9-23 |
DePaul | 0-20 | 18 | 3-29 |