NEW YORK – JayVaughn Pinkston had 15 points and 10 rebounds No. 8 Villanova overcame some early shooting woes to beat St. John's 74-67 on Saturday at Madison Square Garden.
The Wildcats (15-1, 4-0 Big East) came into the game having shot better than 50 percent from the field and 3-point range in their last three games. Against St. John's (9-6, 0-3) they struggled from both in the first half shooting 25.9 percent from the field (7 of 27) and 22.2 percent from 3 (2 of 9).
The game was close through the first 12 minutes of the second half with neither team having more than a three-point lead until Villanova went on a 10-1 run that gave it a 65-57 lead with 3:13 to go.
Josh Hart added 14 points for the Wildcats while Ryan Arcidiacono added 13.