On Tuesday, Jan. 14, the Wildcats (11-7, 4-3 Big East) took the floor in Cincinnati for a matchup with Xavier (11-7, 3-4 Big East) and fell to the Musketeers, 69-63.
The loss marks the first time the Wildcats have lost back-to-back games since Nov. 15 (St. Joseph’s and Virginia).
Xavier opened the game making its first three baskets. Junior guard Ryan Conwell dropped in a three to open the game and finished the game leading all scorers with a career-best 32 points, shooting 8-13 on field goals.
Eric Dixon and senior guard Jordan Longino led the ‘Cats in scoring finishing with 18 points each.
After starting the season in a slump, Longino has made strides over the past few games. Through Big East play, Longino has averaged 12.2 points, 3 rebounds and 2.8 assists. Against Xavier, Longino had a strong start, scoring seven early points and leading the team in scoring in the first half.
The majority of the first half was a matter of trading baskets, but with three minutes left, the ‘Cats started to dominate. Villanova finished the first half on a 12-3 run and led Xavier, 32-24.
The second half began with the ‘Cats in front, but the Musketeers quickly got on the scoreboard and trimmed the eight-point lead to a two-point lead.
Villanova started the second half out with no urgency. Xavier used that to its advantage and cut its deficit to just three points.
Conwell was instrumental in the Xavier comeback, but with 12 minutes left in the half he picked up his fourth foul and was forced to the bench.
At the five-minute mark, Dixon hit a step-back three that tied him in tenth with Villanova legend Josh Hart on the program’s all-time scoring list. Dixon now sits at 1,921 career points.
Dixon’s record-tying basket gave the Wildcats a boost of momentum.
However, with Conwell back in the game, the Musketeers would eventually go on a 7-0 run to give them a four-point lead with 47 seconds to play.
Following a timeout, Dixon missed a three off an inbound play which forced the Wildcats to foul and gave Xavier a two-possession lead with 27 seconds to go.
Villanova fouled Xavier to extend the clock, but it was unable to capitalize.
With back to back road losses, the Wildcats will head back to Philadelphia to prepare for a Friday night matchup with Providence (9-9, 3-4 Big East) at the Wells Fargo Center (7 pm, FS1).
