Villanova tops Depaul for 22nd straight time, 67-43

VILLANOVA, Pa. — Justin Moore scored 16 points, Collin Gillespie had 14, and No. 14 Villanova beat Depaul for the 22nd straight time, 67-43 on Tuesday night.

The Blue Demons (10-9, 1-8 Big East) last topped the Wildcats on Jan. 3, 2008.

Two national championships later, the Wildcats (15-5, 8-2) continue to reign as the class of the conference and shook off a sluggish start to cruise again at the Pavilion.

They had a 29-game Pavilion winning streak snapped last week in a loss to Marquette, knocking them down three spots in the AP Top 25 poll. Villanova rebounded with a win over the weekend against Georgetown, then used an 11-2 run to close the first half against Depaul to set the tone for the rout.

Moore, who averaged 17.3 points over his last eight games, scored 11 of Villanova’s first 14 points and hit three 3s in the first half to carry the Wildcats when baskets were at a premium.

Eric Dixon went up-and-under as the shot clock expired, and Gillespie hit a 3 to send the Wildcats into the half with a 35-22 lead.

The Blue Demons usually play Nova tough and the last three games in the series played at the Pavilion were decided by five points or less. Villanova hit 11 3-pointers and pulled away in the second half.

The Wildcats eight wins are tops in the Big East, and a doubledigit win against Depaul and the next game against a middling St. John’s team should start to give them a cushion in the standings. They open February with consecutive games against ranked teams, a small stretch that could go a long way toward deciding which team wins the Big East.

It’s won’t be Depaul. Again. The Blue Demons did pick up an upset win this month against Seton Hall but still have lost eight of nine games. Javan Johnson led them with 16 points.