Despite a roaring start from St. John’s, Villanova used a late game surge led by Phil Booth to down #24 St. John’s, 76-71, Tuesday night at the Finneran Pavilion.
Booth, with his 23 points, and Eric Paschall, who contributed 25 points, led the Wildcats as they avenged last season’s home loss to the Johnnies with Tuesday night’s victory.
With the game still in the balance and the Wildcats trailing, Booth hit two clutch three-pointers to put Villanova up 68-67, a lead that they would not surrender, with just under two minutes to play.
The Wildcats out-rebounded the Red Storm by a margin of 39-28, and came up with a few key offensive rebounds, including one in the closing stages of the game, that prevented St.