In the first of a three game annual series, Villanova served UConn their second loss at home this season in Hartford, soundly defeating the Huskies 81-61.
While the game ended with strong offense by the Wildcats, it began with a far more solemn, steadied pace. Both teams suffered through a glacial shooting slump for the majority of the first half. ‘Nova began to melt through their blockade midway through, thanks to the relentless energy of Donte DiVincenzo. DiVincenzo had an explosive three-point shooting burst, and his high tempo beyond the perimeter and underneath the bucket flared up Villanova’s overall efficiency.