Netherlands Beats Villanova 75-63 At EuroJam

The Villanova Wildcats got shellacked today by The Netherlands to the tune of 75-63. Only a late run by 'Nova kept this from being a 20-point beatdown at the hands of the Dutch.

Maalik Wayns and Mouphtaou Yarou led the team with 15 points each, while Yarou added 9 rebounds. They were the only 'Cats to score in double-digits. James Bell chipped in with 9 points and 2 rebounds and Markus Kennedy tallied 8 points and 3 boards.

'Nova could only muster 8 points in the 3rd quarter, while also turning the ball over 23 times as a team. With a sloppy performance like that, I'd never expect to win.

Jay Wright thought the defensive pressure that was applied, in addition to his lack of ballhandlers, was the downfall today.

"They came out in the second half and really picked up the defensive pressure. I thought we may have been a little tired on our fourth game in five nights but they were good. Darrun Hilliard is a freshman in that situation and it was tough for him at times. But he's had some great games for us. I also thought we came back and played well in the fourth quarter but that run was too tough for us to overcome."

Box score and more quotes from Jay Wright after The Jump.

Jay Wright:

"We couldn't score in the third and it wasn't just that - we were turning the ball over and giving up easy baskets. Actually, we probably played as well defensively as we have on this trip. Their defense, though, was tremendous. They were too good of a team for us to turn them over. Mouph and Markus did a great job of battling their big guys. Our guards just could not get us into offense and you have to give their guards credit because they trapped and pressured the ball extremely well."

"This was very valuable for us - playing against experienced guys in front of their home crowd. I think what young guys learn playing in the BIG EAST is how physical the games are. Our young guys are learning this before we get to the BIG EAST. Our older guys already understand that and they're learning how to pull the young guys along."

Box Score (Minutes in parantheses)

WAYNS (32:39): 4-12 from the field; 1-4 from 3-point; 6-6 FT shooting; 4 rebounds (0 offensive); 1 steal; 4 turnovers; 15 points.

YAROU (26:19): 5-13 from the field; 0-0 from 3-point; 5-6 FT shooting; 9 rebounds (four offensive); 1 turnover; 1 steal; 15 points.

CHEEK (22:55): 1-3 from the field; 0-1 from 3-point; 0-0 FT shooting; 2 rebounds (0 offensive); 2 steals; 3 turnovers; 34 points. BELL (17:06): 3-8 from the field; 1-4 from 3-point; 1-2 FT shooting; 2 rebounds (1 offensive); 3 turnovers; 9 points.

ARMWOOD (17:39): 0-2 from the field; 0-0 from 3-point; 0-0 FT shooting; 3 rebounds (1 offensive); 0 points.

HILLIARD (22:12): 3-8 from the field; 2-4 from 3-point; 0-0 FT shooting; 3 rebounds (1 offensive); 1 steal; 4 turnovers; 8 points.

KENNEDY (22:45): 4-6 from the field; 0-0 from 3-point; 0-0 FT shooting; 3 rebounds (1 offensive); 1 assist; 8 points.

PINKSTON (15:59): 2-2 from the field; 0-0 from 3-point; 2-4 FT shooting; 6 rebounds (1 offensive);5 turnovers; 6 points.

YACOUBOU (19:39): 0-2 from the field; 0-1 from 3-point; 0-0 FT shooting; 1 rebound (0 offensive); 1 turnover; 0 points.

SUTTON (2:47): 0-0 from the field; 0-0 from 3-point; 0-0 FT shooting; 0 rebounds; 1 turnover; 0 points.

Villanova Totals: 22-of-56 FG (.393); 5-of-14 from 3-point (.357); 14-of-18 FT shooting (.778); 35 rebounds (10 offensive); 2 assists; 23 turnovers; 6 steals; 0 blocked shots; 63 points.

The Netherlands Totals: 29-of-73 FG (.397); 6-of-27 from 3-point (.222); 11-of-17 FT shooting (.647); 35 rebounds (14 offensive); 11 assists; 22 turnovers; 10 steals; 2 blocked shots; 75 points.