‘Cats Present Mettle in 75-72 Exhibition Loss at Virginia

Overview
With a restricted roster of wholesome our bodies, Villanova’s younger roster held its personal in a 75-72 exhibition loss to Virginia at John Paul Arena Friday evening. The Wildcats had an opportunity to tie the sport on the ultimate possession however a 3-point bid by Acaden Lewis was brief.
 
“I thought we got everything out of it we could have wanted,” mentioned William B. Finneran Endowed Head Coach Kevin Willard. “We had three freshmen enjoying their first highway recreation in what was an ideal ambiance right here.
 
“It’s why I think these exhibitions are more valuable than closed scrimmages. You get to learn a lot about your team.”
 
Lewis led the Wildcats with 16 factors whereas Matt Hodge and Malachi Palmer added 13 factors apiece.
 
Missing Four Once Again
Villanova entered this tilt down a number of males. Four Wildcats have been unavailable tonight as a consequence of damage: Devin Askew (proper knee sprain); Malcolm Flaggs (proper achilles pressure); and Zion Stanford (left ankle sprain) missed their second straight exhibition contest. Guard Bryce Lindsay, who began for the ‘Cats in Sunday’s 70-51 win over VCU at Finneran Pavilion, was out as a consequence of sickness.
 
Senior ahead Tafara Gapare, who missed the sport with VCU with a proper foot damage, returned to motion on this one.
 
New look
 
William B. Finneran Endowed Head Coach Kevin Willard altered his beginning lineup from Sunday, inserting Gapare and Malachi Palmer instead of Lindsay and Matt Hodge. Virginia scored eight of the sport’s first 12 factors with three Villanova turnovers enjoying a component in that. A basket by freshman guard Chris Jeffrey narrowed the hole to 8-6 on the 15:14 mark of the primary half.
 
Virginia utilized full court docket strain at any time when it may towards the Wildcats’ youthful backcourt within the early going and it produced outcomes. The Cavaliers pressured six Nova turnovers within the recreation’s first 8:40 that led to a 12-0 edge in factors off of turnovers. The UVA lead was 17-10.
 
“I thought their physicality got us on our heels early,” mentioned Willard. “They were really aggressive and it kind of caught us off guard. I was happy with how we adjusted to the physicality. We didn’t turn the ball over in the second half. We gave up 40 in the first half but I think that was a good growing phase for us.”
 
Triple Trouble
 
When these two groups final met final November in Baltimore, the Cavaliers’ 3-point prowess helped carry them previous Villanova, 75-60.
 
The same theme unfolded within the first half. Virginia sank 5-of-10 from past the arc over the competition’s first 14 minutes whereas holding the Wildcats with out a triple (0-of-5).
 
As destiny would have it, a 3-pointer by Palmer gave Villanova its first lead, 33-31. The Wildcats would finish the half 3-of-11 from distance (.273) whereas the Cavaliers have been 8-of-16 (.500), draining two within the last minutes of the interval to reclaim the lead at intermission, 40-35.
 
Palmer paced the Wildcats with 11 factors over the primary 20 minutes. Malik Thomas led Virginia with 9 factors.
 
Second Act
 
Virginia pushed its result in double digits within the early minutes of the second half, capitalizing on an environment friendly offense that damage Nova in and out. Each time Villanova drew nearer, the Cavaliers had a solution.
 
When two Chris Jeffrey free throws narrowed the deficit to 55-49, Virginia responded with a dunk and two free throws to re-establish a double-digit benefit with 10:48 to play. A Matt Hodge drive for 2, minimize the hole to 59-56 and the Cavaliers instantly answered with an old style 3-point play from Jonah Gruenloh to double the lead because the clock approached the eight minute mark.
 
Nova hung in there, although, and a pair of Tyler Perkins free throws with 5:13 on the clock shaved the result in 62-60. Virginia sank one other lengthy ball to push the margin to 65-60. It stayed tight the remainder of the best way.
 
“I’m proud of my two freshmen guards (Jeffrey and Lewis),” mentioned Willard. “They made plays. Chris and Acaden are growing up in front of my eyes.”
 
Villanova opens common season play on Monday, Nov. 3 when it meets No. 8 BYU at T-Mobile Arena on the Hall of Fame Series Las Vegas
 
“We’ve just got to get healthy,” Willard acknowledged. “That’s the biggest thing for us over the next 10 days.”