Box Score
Kelan Martin and Kamar Baldwin combined for 55 points, but No. 1 Villanova used a 51-point second half to take an 86-75 win Saturday afternoon at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

With the win, Villanova improves to 23-2 overall and 10-2 in BIG EAST play. Butler, which had won the last three meetings against the Wildcats, falls to 17-9 (7-6 BIG EAST).

"We've got a lot of competitors in our locker room and they hate to lose," said Butler coach LaVall Jordan. "But we fought and Villanova made some tough plays in the second half. On the defensive end, we just couldn't string together enough stops. Offensively, their zone kept us out of the lane. We had good looks that we normally knock down, but they didn't go down today. That happens."

Martin's 30 points came on 10-of-20 shooting. He made a career-best eight three-pointers (on 12 attempts. He has averaged 30.0 points per game in his last three games.
The senior made his first four attempts as Butler built an early 21-8 lead. Butler shot 57 percent in the first half and took a 38-35 lead into the locker room. Martin had 17 in the opening 20 minutes.

Villanova scored 16 of the first 20 points in the second half to take a 51-42 lead with 14:53. The jump shot by Donte Divincenzo was two of his 20 points in the second half and career-high 30 points overall. Jalen Brunson added 27.

The host Wildcats continued to keep the Bulldogs at arms' length until a Marin three-pointer and Baldwin conversion in the lane pulled Butler within four at 75-71 with 2:37 to play. Villanova responded with the next four points and hit free throws in the closing minutes to determine the final margin.

Villanova shot 51 percent for the game and attempted 23 free throws against only nine for the Bulldogs. The Wildcats committed only nine turnovers and had a 36-29 advantage on the glass. Omari Spellman had a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Baldwin scored 25 points. He and Martin were the only two in double figures. Butler made 12 three-pointers. Paul Jorgensen led the team with seven assists.

The Bulldogs return to Indianapolis and Hinkle for three consecutive home games, the final three home games of the 2017-18 season. The homestand begins Tuesday night when Georgetown comes to town. Limited tickets are available for all three of Butler's remaining home games.