Field Level Media
Nov 10, 2023
Justin Moore scored 21 points and Tyler Burton recorded a double-double to help guide No. 22 Villanova to an 83-57 victory over visiting Le Moyne on Friday.
The Wildcats (2-0) shot well from the field (47.5 percent), the 3-point line (39.5 percent) and the free-throw line (12 of 13) in a crisp overall effort against the Dolphins (0-2), who are in their first season as a Division I program.
Burton contributed 10 points and 13 rebounds for Villanova, which outrebounded Le Moyne 44-28. Brendan Hausen chipped in 18 points on 6-of-8 3-point shooting for the Wildcats, while T.J. Bamba notched 15 points in a supporting role.
Luke Sutherland scored 15 points to pace the Dolphins, while Isaiah Salter pitched in 10 points.
Le Moyne led 23-22 after about 12 minutes before Villanova started to take control.
Bamba drained a 3-pointer and then added two free throws to ignite a game-altering 24-6 run. Moore and Bamba knocked down 3-pointers shortly thereafter, and Moore recorded the final two buckets of the burst to give the hosts a commanding 46-29 advantage.
Le Moyne scored five of the final seven points in the first half, but the visitors still trailed 48-34 at the break.
The Wildcats shot 53.3 percent from the field in the first half, including 8 of 19 from 3-point range. Moore paced Villanova with 16 first-half points, while Burton had seven points and seven boards in the opening session.
Sutherland and Ocypher Owens led Le Moyne in the first half with eight points apiece.
The Dolphins drained two 3-pointers to cut their deficit to 10 early in the second half, but a quick 6-0 burst by the Wildcats - featuring three points apiece by Bamba and Burton - helped to restore order.
Villanova took its first 20-point lead on Hakim Hart's 3-pointer with 5:27 remaining. The lead swelled to 26 on Hausen's long-range shot with 1:18 to go.
--Field Level Media