Field Level Media
Aug 27, 2012
Jermaine Samuels scored a career-high 29 points to go along with nine rebounds, and Villanova snapped a three-game losing streak with a 67-61 win over visiting No. 10 Marquette on Wednesday in Villanova, Pa.
Phil Booth added 17 points despite shooing 3 of 18. However, Booth knocked down all 10 of his free throws and had seven assists against just one turnover.
Markus Howard led Marquette (23-5, 12-3 Big East) with 25 points but committed seven turnovers.
Sam Hauser added 13 points for the Golden Eagles, who had won four in a row.
Villanova (21-8, 12-4) bolted to a 16-7 lead midway through the first half thanks mostly to a suffocating defense.
Marquette committed eight turnovers in the first 12 minutes and the Wildcats built a 21-12 advantage.
Hauser knocked down a jumper to key an 8-0 run and Marquette closed within 24-20.
Samuels responded with a dunk and Villanova went back ahead by six with 3:56 remaining. Amazingly, Samuels had gone scoreless in the previous three games.
Howard hit a deep 3-pointer to get within 30-28.
But Booth drew a foul with 0.6 seconds remaining and hit both free throws for a 32-28 lead at halftime.
Samuels tied his career high with 15 points in the first half.
Howard paced the Golden Eagles with 11.
Samuels stayed hot early in the second half and knocked down a trey for a 40-30 lead. Samuels was also fouled but missed the free throw.
Marquette scored the next five points capped by a trey from Howard to close within 40-35.
The Golden Eagles went ahead 46-44 on another 3-pointer by Howard with 13:26 left.
Samuels converted a three-point play and the game was tied at 51 with 11:01 remaining.
The Wildcats later went scoreless for more than four minutes and Marquette took advantage, going ahead 60-55.
Booth came back with a clutch 3-pointer and Villanova trailed 60-58 with 4:53 left.
Villanova went ahead 63-60 with 1:30 left after Saddiq Bey made a trey and Booth hit two free throws.
The Wildcats closed the game on a 12-1 run.
--Field Level Media