VILLANOVA, Pa. — In a thrilling matchup, Eric Dixon emerged as a key player for Villanova, scoring 18 of his total 23 points in the second half, leading his team to a narrow 68-66 victory against the ninth-ranked UConn on Wednesday night. The game concluded dramatically, with UConn’s Alex Karaban missing two crucial free throws with only 3.1 seconds remaining on the clock, sealing the win for Villanova.
Wooga Poplar also contributed significantly to Villanova’s success, netting 18 points as the Wildcats improved their record to 11-5 overall and 4-1 in the Big East. During the game, Villanova built a substantial lead of 12 points in the second half, showcasing their strong performance.
On the other side, Solo Ball was the standout for UConn, registering 16 points. This loss broke UConn’s eight-game winning streak, which they had maintained since their disappointing performance in the Maui Invitational last November. The team was also without their top freshman, Liam McNeeley, who was sidelined due to a right foot injury.
The Huskies had multiple opportunities to gain the upper hand late in the game, with the most notable chance coming from Karaban, who was unable to convert on two free throw attempts after being fouled by Jordan Longino. Karaban ended the game with 10 points, but the missed free throws proved critical.
This matchup took place on the Villanova campus in front of fans for the first time since January 5, 1995. While they faced off at Villanova’s Pavilion on February 20, 2021, it was without fans because of pandemic restrictions. Typically, these games are held at the home of the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers.
In terms of takeaways from the game, UConn still remains a top contender in the Big East despite the loss and the absence of McNeeley. Conversely, Villanova, which has struggled in recent seasons without NCAA tournament appearances, has reestablished itself as a relevant force in college basketball under coach Kyle Neptune.
A pivotal moment in the game occurred when the score was tied at 59. Poplar’s 3-pointer with just under five minutes remaining gave Villanova a lead they wouldn’t relinquish for the rest of the contest.
A key statistic from the game was Dixon’s performance; despite registering only 12.5% shooting in the first half, where he missed 7 of 8 field goal attempts, he nonetheless maintained a high scoring average this season, entering the game as the national leader with 25.9 points per game. His teammates, in contrast, shot 57.1% in the first half, which was indicative of a more balanced team effort.
Looking ahead, UConn will face Georgetown on Saturday, while Villanova is set to visit St. John’s on the same evening.
