Trailing 44-43 early in the second half, Villanova used a 12-0 run – sparked by three 3-pointers from Collin Gillespie – to take control of the game and defeat Butler 80-72 at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The win keeps the Wildcats unbeaten in BIG EAST play at 6-0 and 15-4 overall. The three Villanova league road wins this season are at the three venues where they lost last year – Butler, Creighton and Providence.
Butler (12-8, 3-4) was led by Aaron Thompson’s 15 points. Sean McDermott added 14 points and seven rebounds.
With Villanova’s road triumph, home teams hold only a 17-14 edge in conference play.