College Sports

Paschall, Booth lead No. 14 Villanova over DePaul

Posted January 30, 2019 12:00 am

By Andrew Seligman AP Sports Writer

Villanova forward Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree, right, shoots against DePaul guard Max Strus during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019, in Chicago. Associated Press

CHICAGO - Eric Paschall scored 20 points, Phil Booth added 19 points and 8 assists, and No. 14 Villanova won its ninth straight game by beating DePaul 86-74 on Wednesday night.

Freshman forward Saddiq Bey matched a career high with 16 points and set one with 11 rebounds for Villanova. He shot 4 of 6 on 3-pointers.

The Wildcats (17-4, 8-0 Big East) hit 15 from beyond the arc after making 17 in a romp over Seton Hall on Sunday. The defending national champions beat DePaul (11-9, 3-6) for the 18th straight time.

Femi Olujobi led the Blue Demons with 20 points and 8 rebounds. Eli Cain scored 17, but DePaul lost for the fourth time in five games despite shooting 53 percent.

Once again, Villanova had a tough time with DePaul. After rallying from 14 down to win by 5 at home on Jan. 2, the Wildcats led 40-36 at halftime after Cain nailed a step-back 3 in front of the Villanova bench at the buzzer.

But they went on an 11-2 run to start the second half, with Bey scoring on a tip-in and hitting a corner 3 to make it 51-38.

Another 3 by Bey got it up to 56-42 before Paschall's free throw put the lead at 15.

The Blue Demons are back in familiar territory, tied for last in the Big East with Butler.

Villanova forward/guard Eric Paschall, right, shoots against DePaul forward Jaylen Butz during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019, in Chicago. Associated Press

Villanova forward/guard Eric Paschall (4) shoots over DePaul guard Lyric Shreiner (0) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019, in Chicago. Associated Press

Villanova guard Joe Cremo, left, intercepts a pass against DePaul guard Eli Cain during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019, in Chicago. Associated Press

Villanova guard Phil Booth, right, shoots against DePaul guard Devin Gage during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019, in Chicago. Associated Press

Villanova guard Jahvon Quinerly, left, drives to the basket against DePaul guard Devin Gage during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019, in Chicago. Associated Press

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