VILLANOVA, Pa. – Josh Hart scored 22 points and Kris Jenkins 20, helping top-ranked Villanova turn back Butler’s upset bid 77-67 Saturday in Big East basketball at The Pavilion.
Butler led by two points midway through the second half but could not maintain that against the Wildcats’ all-around excellence.
Villanova (24-3) improved to 13-1 in the conference ahead of a Wednesday game at Xavier.
Butler (18-9, 7-8) remains in a fight to assemble a resume worthy of an NCAA tournament berth. The Bulldogs are off until next Saturday at Georgetown.
• BOX SCORE: Villanova 77, Butler 67
Kelan Martin scored 19 points, Roosevelt Jones 16 and Kellen Dunham 13 for Butler.