Tied at 65 with just seconds left in regulation against Butler Saturday, Darrun Hilliard II knocked down clutch 3-pointer in the left corner to push the Wildcats past No. 18 Butler 68-65. The crowd fell silent. The Bulldogs missed the insuing possession and Villanova took home the victory. Hilliard’s 31-point performance was a career high for the senior forward. The 3-pointer was one of eight he made in the game, also a career high. He scored 16 against Providence earlier in the week. Villanova, now 23-3, 10-2 in the Big East returns home to face Seton Hall on Monday.
Widely regarded as one of the best freshman this year, D’ Angelo Russell continued to play at a high level for Ohio State. He punished Rutgers last Sunday night in the 79-60 victory, recording his first triple double with 23 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists -- the only freshman in DI basketball to accomplish that feat this season. He returned Thursday night with a 17 point, seven assist performance against Penn State. But against Michigan State two nights later, the freshman guard was limited to 10 points in a losing effort to the Spartans. The Buckeyes look to rebound with a Feb. 22 tipoff at Michigan.
After back to back losses a week ago, John Brown led High Point to wins against Winthrop and Campbell in Week 14. He tied a career-high with 34 points while anchoring the Panthers in the come-from-behind win against the Eagles on Wednesday. He also nailed two clutch free throws in the final seconds of the 73-72 game. High Point had been down as many as 16 points in the second half. He continued the week, scoring 21 and grabbing six boards in a 63-51 victory at Campbell on Saturday. The Panthers who is 19-7, 10-4 in the Big South will face a test against Gardner-Webb on Wednesday.
