Villanova grinds out win over Providence to end 5-game slide

Eric Dixon scored 12 points and host Villanova clamped down on Providence in a 68-50 win Sunday in Philadelphia.

Brendan Hausen finished with 11 points and TJ Bamba and Hakim Hart added nine apiece for the balanced Wildcats (12-10, 5-6 Big East), who snapped a five-game losing streak.

Josh Oduro led Providence (14-8, 5-6) with 18 points and 12 rebounds while Devin Carter scored 17 with 5-of-8 3-point shooting and Ticket Gaines had 10 points and seven rebounds.

The Friars, who shot just 15-of-51 from the field, did not surpass 20 points until 13:22 remained in the game.

Oduro made a jump hook with 6:45 left in the second half to close the Friars within 56-38. Hausen's tough jump shot from the corner with the shot clock about to expire propelled the Wildcats back ahead by 20 with 5:55 remaining.

Providence trailed 60-48 after Gaines made a trey with 3:01 left to cap a 10-2 spurt.

Villanova then went on a 7-0 run and sealed the victory.

In a defensive-oriented half, Hart dropped in a 3-pointer with 10:25 left in the first half to cap an 8-0 run for an 11-6 Villanova lead. Carter hit a trey from the corner with 9:40 remaining to close the Friars within two.

Bamba drove to the basket and scored for a 17-9 Wildcats lead with 6:07 left.

Gaines responded with a 3-pointer for Providence to quickly cut the deficit to five.

Hausen made a 3-pointer then Hart grabbed an offensive rebound and converted for the Wildcats, who went on to lead 26-16 at halftime.

Providence shot just 4-of-24 and Villanova was 10-of-32 in the half.

The Wildcats went on a 13-0 run to open the second half, capped by Hausen's 3-pointer for a 39-16 lead with 15:41 remaining.

Carter halted the spurt with a 3-pointer to get the Friars back within 20.