Fourth-Ranked Villanova Avoids Upset With Last Minute Lay-Up

In a season that’s already full of upsets, it looked like Villanova would be the next powerhouse to fall. The Wildcats narrowly avoided the upset, however, as they escaped with a 72-71 win over Seton Hall thanks to a last minute lay-up and block.

The two key plays came from two seniors. Ryan Arcidiacono converted a crucial lay-up with 32 seconds remaining and, at the other end of the floor, Daniel Ochefu blocked Seton Hall’s final attempt to secure the win.

“I had it in my mind what I was going to do,” Arcidiacono said. “If they helped on me, I was going to Kris (Jenkins) or Jalen (Brunson), but I just kept the ball and ended up getting a layup.”

“They’re just big in the big games,” head coach Jay Wright said of his seniors. “Ryan makes the big shot and Daniel makes the big block. The older guys have been there.”

Seton Hall, who defeated then-Number 12 Providence over the weekend, was led by 21 points from Isiah Whitehead. Coming close to a second big win, however, wasn’t any grounds for a moral victory. “We lost,” he said. “There’s really not a lot of good we can say about it. We played hard and lost. They made the big plays in the last minute and that’s why they won. ”

The road ahead isn’t easier for either team. Villanova hosts Providence on Saturday while Seton Hall visits fifth-ranked Xavier.

Photo: Ryan Arcidiacono #15 of the Villanova Wildcats drives past Traci Carter #21 of the Marquette Golden Eagles on January 13, 2016 at the Pavilion in Villanova, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Article by Joe Kozlowski