On Tuesday night at the Pavilion in front of a paltry crowd, Villanova stormed back from a 19 point second half deficit to edge the Providence Friars 74-72. The contest was evenly matched over the first fifteen minutes, but the visitors went on a big run to end the first stanza and eventually led 44-30 at intermission. Trailing 60-41 with fourteen minutes on the clock, the Cats, without the services of Maalik Wayns for much of the second half due to a knee injury, pulled together and completed an epic comeback. Credit the Villanova defense for finally coming up with numerous defensive stops late in the game to give themselves a chance.
Only 3 players were in double figures for Nova, but one of the trio was an absolute beast all night. Freshman JayVaughn Pinkston poured in a career high 28 points while also grabbing 14 rebounds. He hit the game-winner with 20 seconds left to cap off the ferocious rally. Mouphtaou Yarou and Dominic Cheek each contributed 17 points to compliment Pinkston's performance. For Providence, Bryce Cotton was en fuego in the first half, as he dapped 5 trey balls. All in all, Cotton notched 20 points to lead the Friars.
Villanova returns to action next Wednesday night at South Florida.