No. 3 Villanova Tops Western Michigan 76-65
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP/CBS) — Eric Paschall had 17 points, including a 3-pointer with 2:50 to go, to help rally No. 3 Villanova past Western Michigan 76-65 at the Charleston Classic on Thursday.
The defending champion Wildcats opened 3-0 for the fourth straight season. Not that it was easy after Western Michigan cut a 14-point second-half lead to 569-56 with six minutes left. That's when Villanova took off on a 13-4 run to secure the game, helped by 3-pointers by Kris Jenkins, Paschall and Josh Hart for a 72-60 lead. Western Michigan never got closer than seven points the rest of the way.
The Wildcats will face Wake Forest or UTEP on Friday for a spot in Sunday's championship.
The Broncos (1-2) fell to 0-4 at the eight-team Charleston tournament. They lost all three games when they last visited in the 2008-09 season. Thomas Wilder led Western Michigan with 19 points.
Hart and Jalen Brunson added 14 points each for Villanova while Jenkins scored 11.
For Western Michigan, Josh Davis had two monster dunks.
BIG PICTURE
Western Michigan lost its second straight after falling to Oakland this past Monday. The Broncos forced too many long shots, finishing 3 of 15 from behind the arc. They were much more effective driving into the teeth of Villanova's defense. Wilder's five baskets came from around the rim.
Villanova came off a 79-76 win at No. 15 Purdue, and its sluggish performance made this much closer than it should have been. Jenkins picked up two early fouls and played only 21 minutes in his return to South Carolina, having spent part of his childhood in Columbia.
UP NEXT
Western Michigan will play Wake Forest or UTEP on Friday at the Charleston Classic.
Villanova will play Wake Forest of UTEP on Friday at the Charleston Classic
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