Things got off to a slow start for Xavier, as they only made one for their first six shots and trailed 7-2 after four minutes. They made their next two though to tie the game at 7-7 before Villanova hit a three to take the lead back at 10-7 with 13:34 left in the first half.
Villanova scored a layup to go back up five points, but Quentin Goodin came back with a layup of his own to make the score 12-9 Villanova with 12:47 left in the first half.
The Wildcats outscored Xavier 6-2 over the next five minutes to lead 18-11 with 7:54 left in the first half.