Columbia Lions vs Villanova Wildcats Match Player Stats On Nov 10, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Nov 10, 2017

PHILADELPHIA -- Eric Paschall had 15 points and nine rebounds, Jalen Brunson scored 14 points and sixth-ranked Villanova overcame a sluggish start before outlasting Columbia 75-60 Friday night in the season opener for both teams at the Wells Fargo Center.

Donte DiVincenzo added 13 points and Omari Spellman had 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Wildcats, who led by only nine points, 32-23, at halftime.

Villanova (1-0) won 32 games last season and clearly looked to be missing the senior leadership of departing standouts Josh Hart, Kris Jenkins and Darryl Reynolds.

This year's Villanova team features four freshmen -- Collin Gillespie, Spellman, Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree and Jermaine Samuels. Spellman missed all of last season as an academic redshirt by the NCAA.

Mike Smith paced the pesky Lions (0-1) with 19 points. As a freshman last season, Smith set a program record with 368 points scored. He started every game and scored in double figures 19 times.

Kyle Castlin, who missed all of last season with a toe injury, also had 10 for Columbia.

Perhaps fueled by a fiery pep talk at halftime, Villanova came out quite aggressive with a 10-2 run.

Phil Booth hit a 3-pointer, Paschall knocked down two free throws and DiVincenzo scored his first five points on a 3-pointer and a driving layup for a 42-25 advantage.

Columbia hung tough and trailed 52-40 with 11:50 remaining after a difficult 3-pointer by Smith.

But Villanova responded with a 7-0 spurt for a commanding 19-point cushion, which was more than enough to pull out a victory.

Villanova wasn't able to take control early in large part to poor shooting, going 11 of 31, including 4 of 18 from beyond the arc.

Leading 27-21 late in the first half, Booth knocked down a 3-pointer and Brunson followed with a short jumper.

NOTES: Villanova has now won its past 15 regular season openers and improved to 16-1 under coach Jay Wright in the opener. ... The Wildcats will play 11 more games at the Wells Fargo Center this season while their on-campus arena undergoes a $60 million renovation. ... Columbia is 6-44 all-time against Top 25 competition. ... The Lions were picked fifth in the Ivy League preseason poll. ... Villanova will host Nicholls State on Tuesday night in the first career meeting between the schools.