Villanova hit 10 three-pointers to capture an 82-73 win over visiting Butler Wednesday night at Finneran Pavilion in Philadelphia.
 
Butler put five players in double figures but wasn't able to match the Wildcats' offensive efficiency.
 
With the win, Villanova improves to 22-6 overall and 13-4 in BIG EAST play. The loss snaps Butler's two-game winning streak as the Bulldogs fall to 15-14 (6-12 BIG EAST).
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Villanova held a slim 27-24 lead with 3:31 remaining in the first half but made seven of their final eight attempts from the field over the first half to end the first 20 minutes on a 15-4 run for a 42-28 halftime lead.
• The Bulldogs scored the first seven points of the second half to cut Villanova's halftime lead in half (to 42-35) less than two minutes into the half.
• Another Butler run would cut the Villanova advantage to a single point (55-54) with 9:00 to play. After the teams traded baskets, eight straight points by Devin Askew returned the Wildcat lead to double figures at 67-57, forcing a Butler timeout with six minutes remaining.
• Butler was never able to trim the lead to less than six over the remainder of the game; Villanova iced the contest by making all eight free throw attempts over the final 95 seconds of the game.

 
TIP-INS:

• Villanova attempted 32 three-pointers, making 10. The Wildcats shot 49 percent overall from the field.
• Acaden Lewis led Villanova with 20 points and Bryce Lindsay added 19.
• Michael Ajayi led the Bulldogs with 17 points and nine rebounds. Yohan Traore came off the bench to score 15 points.
• Finley Bizjack (12), Jamie Kaiser Jr. (11) and Efeosa Oliogu-Elabor (10) also registered double figures for Butler.
• After committing only six turnovers in each of the last two games, Butler turned the ball over 14 times Wednesday night.
• Butler attempted only 13 three-pointers, making three for the second consecutive game.
• Butler held a 38-28 rebounding advantage. Butler has out-rebounded 20 of its 29 opponents this season.
• The Bulldogs got to the free throw line 27 times, making 22. Entering the game, Butler was attempting 25.8 free throws per contest, which was 17^th nationally.
• This was the second match-up between the two teams this season as Villanova took an 85-67 win over Butler Jan. 3 at Hinkle Fieldhouse.

 
UP NEXT: The Bulldogs have the weekend off before closing out the home portion of the schedule Wednesday, March 4, hosting Creighton.