JayVaughn Pinkston made sure he hit his free throws in overtime as Villanova survived Butler's stern upset bid, 76-73, on Tuesday.
Villanova vs. Butler final score: Wildcats outlast Bulldogs in overtime, 76-73
Villanova went on the road to Hinkle Fieldhouse and introduced Butler to the Big East the hard way.
Butler guard Kellen Dunham hit a shot with 25 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 66. Pinkston missed a last-second shot that would've won the game for the Wildcats. Villanova quickly jumped out to a five-point lead in overtime but, as Butler often does, the Bulldogs came storming back to make it interesting again.
Villanova missed three consecutive free throws and Dunham hit two consecutive layups to bring Butler within one. He missed a three-point attempt with 11 seconds remaining and Pinkston hit his two free throws to close out the game and preserve the win.
It was an electric game, with Villanova leading throughout much of it. Villanova’s biggest lead of the game was nine points, but it just couldn’t quite shake a tenacious Butler team. Pinkston and Dunham scored a game-high 22 points.
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