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Villanova 64
La Salle 51
(box score)

Villanova: 8-2 (9-2, 0-0 BE, 2-0 B5)
Next game: vs. Temple, 12/30 @ The Pavilion.

After blowing out Rider by nearly 50 points, this game was something of a letdown for the Wildcats, at least in some aspects. Yes, a 13-point win on the road in a Big 5 game is no small achievement, but the game was much closer than double-digits for much of the second half.

At times the Wildcat offense struggled to get moving, while the defense allowed too many La Salle offensive boards and put-backs. Still, Villanova was able to hang on against a gritty opponent on the road to remain undefeated in Big 5 play.

The team managed to only commit 9 turnovers overall despite committing 4 very early in the game. If the 3-point shooting had gotten on track and the rebounding had been better, the game would have been a lot easier for the Wildcats.

Onto the player grades. Click "READ MORE" below for player performance grades and analysis.

Curtis Sumpter (S, 35 min)
Curtis did what it took to win tonight. Though he only scored 13, he led the team in rebounds with 8, and added a block, a steal, and an assist. He did have 3 turnovers, tied for first on the team. Sumpter was solid in the clutch, and at the line (5-5), but needs to take fewer threes (0-4). Where is the dynamic mid-range and post player we fell in love with these past 5 years? If you subtract his 4 misses from the three, Curtis was a very-efficient 4-5 from inside the arc. His 13 points were enough to lead the team in scoring, but I wish he would take it inside and to the basket more. Jacking threes is not his game, especially when they aren't falling early.
Grade: C+

Will Sheridan (S, 31 min)
Will topped the 30-minute mark tonight for the first time in several games. Sheridan played sloppy for parts of the game, co-leading the team in turnovers with 3. He scored 7 points and pulled in 4 rebounds. More rebounds and fewer turnovers would have been nice, but Will did look O.K. defensively, getting a block. He was also solid in the clutch.
Grade: C+

Mike Nardi (S, 28 min)
Mike helped will the team to victory tonight. He scored 12 on 4-10 shooting, including 1-4 from the three. He co-led the team in assists with 5, and did not commit any turnovers. He also was second on the team in rebounds, with 4 total.
Grade: B

Dante Cunningham (S, 27 min)
Dante was a good all-around contributor tonight. He scored 7 points on 3-4 shooting, including a beautiful three-pointer as the shot clock expired. He also added a block, a steal, an assist, and 3 rebounds. I would have liked to see him on the glass more, though, and it would have been nice if he had reached the free-throw line.
Grade: B

Scottie Reynolds (S, 27 min)
Scottie started off hot, hitting his first 2 three-pointers. He cooled off after that, though, shooting 3-9 from the field for 11 total points. He looked good defensively, coming up with 3 steals. Reynold also doled out 5 assists, and committed no turnovers. Aside from some shot-selection problems, good game by Scottie.
Grade: B

Shane Clark (27 min)
Shane got starter-type minutes tonight, but did not fully take advantage of them. Clark scored 9 points, but only shot 3-9 from the field, and 1-5 from the three. He needs to take fewer three-pointers. Clark's game is at its best in transition and the mid-range.
Grade: C-
Dwayne Anderson (11 min)
Dwayne only had 4 points and 3 rebounds, but his impact on the game went well beyond that. He made a key steal late in the game, grabbed 2 huge boards at exactly the right time, and sank 2 clutch free throws. Usually he provides more of an offensive burst, however.
Grade: B

Casiem Drummond (10 min)
Only 1 rebound in 10 minutes isn't going to cut it at center. Casiem also only took 1 shot, and did not score. He looked O.K.. defensively, but this was noting like his excellent performance against Rider. The huge potential is still there, however.
Grade: C-