Coming off a much-needed blowout win against Penn, Villanova men’s basketball matched up against a Big Ten opponent in the Empire Classic, taking on Maryland.
It was yet another heartbreaking loss, as the Wildcats fell one point short in a 76-75 game. Villanova’s record now stands at 3-4.
Villanova led for nearly the entire first half, going up as much as 14 points. Graduate forward Eric Dixon led the way with 22 points in the half, finishing the game with a career-high 38 points. Dixon’s efforts put the team up 40-28 at halftime.
The second half began much closer, with both teams exchanging buckets. Villanova was able to hold on to its lead for just over ten minutes until Maryland tied the game on free throws with 9:46 remaining.
The rest of the half saw back-and-forth lead changes, making for a competitive end to the game. With 1:15 remaining, Dixon reclaimed the lead off a clutch three-point jumper, making it 73-72.
The Terrapins then answered right back off a layup from freshman center Derik Queen. Queen was a problem for the Wildcats all night, ultimately finishing with 22 points and 11 rebounds.
With the score being 74-72 with under a minute remaining, the ‘Cats put the ball in Dixon’s hands. He delivered yet again with a layup to put them up one.
There was still time on the clock, as Maryland had one last chance. The Terrapins gave the ball to Queen, who managed to draw a foul from Villanova freshman forward Josiah Moseley to head to the free throw line.
Queen nailed both free throws to make it a 76-75 game with 19 seconds remaining. The Wildcats managed to get a decent look from sophomore guard Tyler Perkins, but Perkins missed from three-point range. Fortunately, Villanova secured the offensive board with three seconds left, allowing for one more opportunity to win the game.
Dixon got one last look from three, but couldn’t get it to go as Villanova dropped its fourth game of the season.
Despite the disappointing loss, it was a promising first-half performance for the Wildcats. Dixon finished with more than half the team’s points, proving to be the driving force of an imbalanced offense.
Graduate guard Jhamir Brickus also had a solid performance as well, dropping 11 points and four assists. Brickus and Dixon were the only two Wildcats to finish with double digit points.
“I thought our guys came out really focused, especially defensively despite some tough shots they made in the beginning,” head coach Kyle Neptune said. “We just wore them out towards the end with our defensive pressure and intensity, just getting stops.”
Maryland was a game Villanova was expected to win, especially after being up 12 at half. The Wildcats will have to focus on maintaining their leads in order to have future success.
Villanova will have a chance to bounce back in an easier matchup against Rider (4-2) on Wednesday, Nov. 27, at the Finn.
Looking further in the future, the Wildcats will then face their first ranked opponent of the season, No. 18 Cincinnati, on Dec. 3, in what could be a huge chance to prove they can still become a threat in the Big East and the rest of NCAA basketball.
