PHILADELPHIA — In an impressive display of basketball, Eric Dixon scored 24 points, leading Villanova to an 80-68 victory over Xavier on Sunday.
The Wildcats improved their record to 14-10 overall and 7-6 in the Big East Conference, thanks in part to Dixon’s performance.
Alongside him, Wooga Poplar contributed significantly with 23 points, hitting 5 of 9 from three-point range, along with eight rebounds and four steals.
Tyler Perkins also made a notable impact, shooting 7 for 9, including 4 for 5 from beyond the arc, to finish with a solid 20 points.

For the Musketeers, Dante Maddox Jr. was the standout performer with 24 points, while Zach Freemantle added 18 points to the scoreboard.
Marcus Foster rounded out the effort with 10 points, six rebounds, and two steals, but it wasn’t enough to clinch the game.

The first half saw Villanova tied at 33-33, with Poplar being the team’s leading scorer, netting 13 points before halftime.
However, Dixon surged in the second half, scoring 22 points and helping Villanova outpace Xavier by 12 points during that period, ultimately sealing the win.

Looking ahead, both teams are set to play again on Wednesday. Villanova will host St. John’s, while Xavier will travel to face Providence.