Gillespie, Moore lead No. 3 Villanova past Providence 71-56

Collin Gillespie and Justin Moore scored 15 points apiece, and No. 3 Villanova used a dominating second half to defeat Providence 71-56 on Saturday at Villanova, Pa.

Caleb Daniels added 12 points and Jermaine Samuels had 10 for Villanova (10-1, 5-0 Big East), which won its eighth consecutive game.

Alyn Breed scored 18 points to pace Providence (8-7, 4-5).

Villanova was back on the court for just the second time since Dec. 23 due to multiple COVID-19 stoppages. The Wildcats eked out a 76-74 home win over Seton Hall in their return on Tuesday, a victory that impressed coach Jay Wright more in terms of resiliency than execution.

But that was to be expected without team practices and with players in quarantine, getting to the gym for individual workouts only — if at all. With a few practices this week under their belts, the Wildcats still looked rusty in the first half, when they shot 27% from the field while committing seven turnovers.

But a Gillespie 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer sent Villanova into the locker room down just 27-24 and, more importantly, likely feeling better.

It sure looked that way after the break.

The Wildcats surged out of the locker room, looking more like the year-in, yearout national championship contenders they have become under Wright. Villanova made 10 of its first 21 second-half shots, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl’s dunk on a pass from Moore made it 50-38 Villanova with 10:12 remaining. That capped a 26-11 run after halftime for the Wildcats.

St. John’s 96, Utah Valley 78: At New York, Posh Alexander had a season-high 20 points as St. John’s won the nonconference game.

Julian Champagnie had 19 points for St. John’s (9-7). Vince Cole added 15 points. Isaih Moore had 13 points. Josh Roberts had four blocks plus four points and seven rebounds.

St. John’s totaled 51 points in the second half, a season best for the team.

Trey Woodbury had 23 points for the Wolverines (5-6).