PHILADELPHIA - After proving to be a pesky foe for much of the afternoon, the Providence Friars couldn't deliver down the stretch in their shot at number one ranked Villanova Saturday.
The Wildcats (19-1, 7-1) pushed back every Friar run and won this Big East contest in workmanlike fashion, 78-68, at Wells Fargo Arena.
The 18,731 in attendance saw the full array of weapons in coach Jay Wright's arsenal. All-American Josh Hart led the way with 25 points, shooting star Kris Jenkins added 19 and uber-athlete Mikal Bridges added 15 for the Wildcats.
Providence, which won in its trip to Philly last January, had its two-game winning streak snapped.