In a game that was tighter for much more of the contest than the final score indicated, Villanova pulled out a 62-50 win over Butler Tuesday night at Finneran Pavilion in Philadelphia, Pa.
 
With the result, Villanova is now 13-13 overall and 7-8 in BIG EAST play. Butler falls to 13-14 (5-11 BIG EAST)
 
TOP DAWG PERFORMANCE:

• Jayden Taylor led the Bulldogs with 20 points. It marked the sophomore's fourth consecutive game scoring 19 or more points. Taylor was selected as the BIG EAST Player of the Week Monday.

 
STAT OF THE NIGHT:

• Villanova went 16-for-19 from the free throw line, while the Bulldogs only made it to the charity stripe seven times (making five).

 
HOW IT TRANSPIRED:

• Taylor and Manny Bates combined for 20 of Butler's 24 first half points as Villanova took a 25-24 halftime advantage. The first half featured nine lead changes and two ties.
• A Villanova run early in the second half gave the home team a 37-31 lead with 13:22 remaining.
• After Butler once again clawed back within one point, back-to-back Caleb Daniels' three-pointers gave Villanova a 45-38 lead with 8:46 to play.
• A final Butler run was capped by a Simas Lukosius layup to make it 48-45 with 6:13 remaining.
• Villanova then closed the game on a 14-5 spurt for the final margin.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Butler's only lead of the second half came at 31-30 with 15:59 to play.
• Butler shot 38 percent from the field, just better than Villanova's 35-percent mark.
• Manny Bates had 12 points and nine rebounds for Butler.
• Simas Lukosius scored seven points to go along with his eight rebounds, which were one shy of his career-high.
• Justin Moore (15) and Caleb Daniels (13) scored in double figures for Villanova, which had five players score eight or more points.
• Villanova committed only seven turnovers. The Wildcats scored 10 points off Butler's 11 turnovers.

 
OF NOTE:

• Butler was without starting forward Ali Ali Tuesday night. He did not travel with the team to Philadelphia (illness).
• Chuck Harris returned for Butler after missing the last three games due to a concussion sustained Jan. 28 in the game against Seton Hall. He scored four points in 18 minutes.
• Butler won the first match-up between the two teams Jan. 13 at Hinkle Fieldhouse (79-71).
• Butler is now 1-9 against Villanova in Philadelphia.

 
UP NEXT: The Bulldogs return to Hinkle Fieldhouse for a Sunday tip against Georgetown. Tickets are still available for the 3 p.m. tip, which will also air on FS1.