Villanova victory motivates Eagles’ fans

NO. 1 VILLANOVA 92, SETON HALL 76

PHILADELPHIA — Omari Spellman had 26 points, 11 rebounds and helped No. 1 Villanova kick off a rousing day in Philadelphia sports with a 92-76 victory over Seton Hall on Sunday.

The Wildcats (22-1, 9-1 Big East) won their ninth consecutive game in front of a crowd dotted with green jerseys and chanting for the Eagles just hours before the Super Bowl.

Villanova’s victory served as the sports appetizer for a city absolutely whipped into a frenzy, with fans lined up hours before kickoff around the block to get into sports bars to watch the Eagles play the New England Patriots.

Mikal Bridges, who scored 17 points, hit a three with 2:22 left for a 21-point lead that seemed to serve as the cue for fans to turn their full attention toward the Super Bowl. They put on dog masks (an Eagles rallying symbol) and chanted “We Want Brady!”

For about 25 minutes, the Pirates (17-6, 6-4) gave the Wildcats a serious scare.

Eric Paschall slammed into the court with such a thump it could be heard in the nose bleed sections and he subbed out for a quick breather on the bench. Paschall’s timeout was brief. He then hit a three that tied the game at 48-48.

Jalen Brunson, a top candidate for national player of the year, followed with another three that snapped a tie game and seemed to signal the part of the game where Villanova usually goes on a decisive run.

It was that time. Paschall dunked on the next possession and Bridges came flying out of nowhere down the baseline to put back a missed shot that sent the roaring crowd to their feet in appreciation.

Khadeen Carrington, who averages 14.2 points, was whistled for his fourth foul just 6½ minutes into the half and Bridges blocked a shot that sent the ball soaring over Seton Hall’s bench.

Myles Powell steadied the Pirates with a pair of threes that pulled them to 62-60. Spellman hit a three and Bridges nailed a three-point play to help the Wildcats start to pull away. Powell hit one more three that gave Seton Hall a faint glimmer of hope but that’s about all teams get these days against Villanova.

Seton Hall was one underdog Philly had no interest in rooting for on Sunday.

The “Good Luck, Philadelphia Eagles!” sign flashed on the big screen as fans belted out “Fly, Eagles, Fly!” and the Wells Fargo Center soon turned into the site of a Super Bowl pep rally.

NO. 17 OHIO STATE 75, ILLINOIS 67

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Keita Bates-Diop scored a career-high 35 points and had 13 rebounds and No. 17 Ohio State held off Illinois.

The Buckeyes, playing without suspended guard Kam Williams, overcame an Illinois lead to tie the score at the 5-minute mark. But they wouldn’t get the game in hand until Kaleb Wesson grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back up with 48 seconds left. That gave the Buckeyes (20-5, 11-1) a 72-67 lead, and any momentum Illinois had was gone for good.

Mark Alstork paced Illinois (12-12, 2-9) with 19 points.

NO. 25 ARIZONA STATE 88, WASHINGTON STATE 78

PULLMAN, Wash. — Shannon Evans II scored 23 points and Romello White added 21 as No. 25 Arizona State beat Washington State.