Villanova vs. Butler: Live Score, Highlights and Reaction

No. 11 Villanova 60, No. 18 Butler 55

The No. 11 Villanova Wildcats fended off a strong challenge from the No. 18 Butler Bulldogs on Sunday night at Hinkle Fieldhouse to remain undefeated in the Big East.

The game went down to the wire as Josh Hart and Roosevelt Jones traded shots in the final few minutes, but the Wildcats pulled away for good after Jordan Gathers missed an open three with 17 seconds remaining. 

Butler went into the locker room with a six-point advantage that it earned during a scrappy first 20 minutes. Villanova failed to sink shots on a consistent basis, while Butler attacked the rim and forced Daniel Ochefu into foul trouble. 

Things began to change in the second half for the Wildcats once Ryan Arcidiacono and Josh Hart heated up from the field. Hart scored 14 of his game-high 22 in the final 20 minutes, including six in a row in the final four minutes. 

Butler clawed its way back into the contest through Jones, who led the team with 20, but the Bulldogs couldn't level the score in crunch time. Gathers had a chance to tie the game in the waning seconds with an open look from the right wing, but his shot bounced off the rim. 

The win moved Villanova to 4-0 in the Big East and 2-2 against ranked opponents. The Wildcats hold a one-game advantage over the Creighton Bluejays and Georgetown Hoyas in the Big East standings. 

Butler continued to dig a hole for itself in league play as it dropped to 1-3. All three of those defeats have come at the hands of ranked foes. 

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