Villanova leveraged 20 first-half points by Corey Fisher to give Mick Cronin's Cincinnati team their first loss of the season.
A 13-point lead at half time turned into a 20 point lead in the second half for the Wildcats, but the Bearcats scratched back to get within 7. However, Villanova's experience and outside shooting prowess propelled 'Nova to the 72-61 victory.
The Bearcats shot 2-20 (10%) from behind the arc, while 'Nova went 6-15 (40%).
Asked about the game, Villanova Head coach Jay Wright said, "I liked our guts. That was a good Big East win."
Fisher finished with 21 and Maalik Wayns contributed 15 points as Villanova improves to 15-1 (3-0).
The win was Villanova's 45th consecutive win at The Pavilion.
The Wildcats are next in action on Wednesday as they host Louisville at the Wells Fargo Center.
Closest to the Pin results are now posted. Click here to see the winners and updated leader board.
BOX SCORE
| FGM-A | 3PM-A | FTM-A | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF | PTS | |
| Fisher | 4-8 | 3-5 | 10-11 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 21 |
| Wayns | 3-8 | 1-3 | 8-8 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 15 |
| Cheek | 2-4 | 1-2 | 3-3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| Stokes | 1-5 | 1-4 | 4-5 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 |
| Bell | 0-1 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| GUARDS | 10-26 | 6-15 | 25-27 | 16 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 11 | 14 | 51 |
| Yarou | 3-6 | 0-0 | 3-4 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 9 |
| Pena | 4-8 | 0-0 | 0-1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 8 |
| Armwood | 2-2 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Sutton | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| BIGS | 9-16 | 0-0 | 3-6 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 21 |
| TEAM | 19-42 | 6-15 | 28-33 | 34 | 14 | 4 | 8 | 19 | 23 | 72 |
| 45.20% | 40.00% | 84.80% |
READER POLL -- GRADE THE TEAM VS. CINCINNATI
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