Box Score VILLANOVA, Pa. — Delante Jones led the Eagles with 12 points, but fouls and a second half run propelled No. 1 Villanova to a 90-48 win over American on Wednesday evening at The Pavillion.
AU dropped to 3-8 on the season and concluded non-league play while Villanova improved to 12-0.
Sa'eed Nelson finished with 11 points and four rebounds. American shot 37 percent from the field.
American held three one-point leads early in the first half with baskets by Delante Jones, Matt Cimino and Nelson.
Villanova used a 6-0 run to take its largest lead 38-26 with 29 seconds left on a free throw by Eric Paschall.
Matt Cimino connected on a three from the top of the key with 13 seconds left, but Josh Hart buried a jumper as the clock expired to give the Wildcats a 40-29 lead at the break.
Villanova raced out in the second half and went on a 20-2 over a seven-minute span which saw the Eagles go scoreless for five minutes.
Hart led five Villanova players in double figures with 20 points. Mikal Bridges and Eric Paschall added 15 points each and Jalen Brunson has 14.
The Wildcats shot 58 percent from the floor and connected on 20-of-25 from the line.
American's next home game is Friday, Dec. 30 when it begins Patriot League play against Loyola Maryland at 7:30 p.m. Tickets to all AU home basketball games are available online at www.aueagles.com/tickets.
