No. 11 Villanova used a sparkling performance from behind the arc to take a 78-59 win over Butler Saturday afternoon at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The game served as the regular season finale for both teams.
The visiting Wildcats went 11-for-24 from three-point range.
With the win, Villanova improves to 23-7 overall and 16-4 in BIG EAST play.
Butler came out cold, hitting only one of their first 11 attempts from the field as Villanova built a 23-4 lead just over nine minutes into the contest. The Wildcats led 38-24 at the half and by as many as 28 midway through the second half.
Justin Moore led five Villanova players in double figures with 16 points. Jermaine Samuels scored 15. Villanova shot 49 percent from the field.
Butler falls to 13-18 (6-14). Saturday served as Senior Day for the Bulldogs' seven graduates – Aaron Thompson, Bryce Nze, Jair Bolden, Bo Hodges, Christian David, Ty Groce, and Mike Parker.
Chuck Harris led Butler with 19 points, while Hodges added 12.
Butler missed 19 of its first 21 attempts from three-point range before finishing 5-for-25. The Bulldogs shot 36 percent for the game.
The Bulldogs next head to New York City for the 2022 BIG EAST Tournament. Butler will play its first round game on Wednesday with the opponent still to be determined by additional BIG EAST results later this evening.
