Justin Moore drives to the basket in Villanova's win over Seton Corridor on Saturday.
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Seton Corridor’s protection was sound and compelled troublesome pictures. All of the Pirates wanted was a rebound — on both of two possessions within the ultimate two minutes Saturday.
They couldn’t get one, and Villanova capitalized with a pair of offensive rebounds adopted by factors — the go-ahead factors in a 73-67 Seton Corridor loss.
These two performs particularly had been the ultimate momentum shift in a sport filled with them. A one-point Seton Corridor lead with two minutes to go turned a three-point deficit. A winnable sport became a irritating loss to the No. 22 Wildcats at a rocking Prudential Middle on New Yr’s Day, and Seton Corridor’s first 0-2 league begin since 2010.
“I believed the fellows on the market gave nice effort and we had our possibilities,” Pirates coach Kevin Willard stated. “We had two good possibilities, and also you’ve simply acquired to present them credit score.”
It was emblematic of the disappointing afternoon for shorthanded Seton Corridor. Villanova (9-4, 2-1 Large East) at all times had a solution, an enormous shot, a key rebound or a wanted cease. Each time the No. 15 Pirates (9-3, 0-2) appeared poised to take over, or go forward for good, Villanova was there with its championship muscle reminiscence. The Wildcats refused to let the sport get away regardless of committing 17 turnovers and capturing solely 30 % from 3-point vary.
Largely, the glass is the place it was received. The Wildcats dominated the rebounds, 42-28 (a byproduct of Seton Corridor being with out two of its greatest large males, Ike Obiagu and Tyrese Samuel, attributable to COVID-19 protocol) and thrived within the paint. That probably wouldn't have occurred if both of these Pirates had been out there. And so the Pirates misplaced a second straight with simply eight wholesome scholarship gamers after beginning 9-1.
“We’re nonetheless in a great spot,” insisted Willard, who doesn’t count on to get Samuel or Obiagu again for Tuesday’s sport at Butler. “We’re nonetheless an excellent basketball staff. Shedding two video games shouldn't be going to alter that when you've eight guys.”
Not like Wednesday’s loss to No. 21 Windfall, this sport was there for the taking. Seton Corridor had the lead within the ultimate minutes, however couldn’t shut. Ahead Alexis Yetna (10 factors, eight rebounds) fouling out with 5:53 left definitely didn’t assist. A number of pictures didn’t fall. Finally, the Pirates undoing was on the defensive glass, the lack to complete sturdy defensive possessions with rebounds, after doing a lot proper in any other case.
“Quite a lot of these offensive rebounds may’ve been ours if we had that additional measurement,” guard Myles Cale stated. “However it’s nonetheless our job to field out and attempt to rebound and get collectively and focus.
“Different groups throughout the nation are going by means of the identical factor we’re [dealing with]. We attempt not to have a look at that as an obstacle. We simply attempt to concentrate on the eight folks we now have and do our greatest to go on the market and play as exhausting as we will.”
Bryce Aiken, who had a game-high 22 factors off the bench, hit two free throws with 2:00 left to cap a 16-6 run that eradicated a nine-point deficit and gave Seton Corridor a 61-60 lead. However after Collin Gillespie (21 factors) missed a 3-pointer, Justin Moore took benefit of Bryan Antoine’s offensive rebound with a go-ahead jumper.
The subsequent time down the court docket, Brandon Slater acquired to a Gillespie miss and was fouled by Tray Jackson. He hit each free throws with 41.9 seconds left, quieting the massive crowd. The Wildcats had been in management and didn’t lose their grip on the sport.
If Obiagu or Samuel had been in a position to play, or if Yetna hadn’t fouled out, possibly these ultimate minutes would have been totally different. However that wasn’t the case. Villanova took benefit of a Seton Corridor weak spot.
Afterwards, Willard spoke to his staff about not getting too annoyed, to recollect what it completed throughout its spectacular non-conference season, and the promise that continues to be. Down two key gamers, it nonetheless almost prevailed towards a fellow top-25 staff.
“I do know the place we’ll be on the finish of the 12 months,” Willard stated, “and I’m not frightened about these two video games.”
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