Arcaden Lewis hit the biggest shots when it mattered most, scoring a game‑high 26 points and drilling back‑to‑back threes down the stretch as Villanova escaped Washington, D.C., with an 80–73 win over Georgetown at Capital One Arena. The Wildcats snapped the Hoyas’ four‑game streak and strengthened their case for a Top‑25 return, while Villanova’s defense and turnover conversion proved decisive.
First Half Flow
Early trading: Georgetown opened with free throws from Caleb Williams and KJ Lewis, but Villanova answered quickly with a three from Arcaden Lewis. The game featured heavy whistles and physical play, with both teams trading baskets and fouls.
Late first‑half push: Georgetown closed the half on a small run — Vince Iwuchukwu and Malik Mack supplied key buckets — and the Hoyas took a 40–37 lead into the break. Villanova stayed within striking distance thanks to timely looks from Braden Pierce and steady perimeter shooting.
Second Half and Turning Point
Early second‑half surge: Villanova opened the half with threes from Matt Hodge and Tyler Perkins, briefly seizing momentum. Georgetown answered through Caleb Williams and Malik Mack, and the lead see‑sawed into a classic Big East defensive battle.
Clutch sequence: With the game tied in the final minutes, Arcaden Lewis hit consecutive threes that pushed Villanova further ahead and effectively iced the game. Villanova’s late defensive stops and free‑throw discipline closed out the road victory.
Why Villanova Won
Turnover conversion: Villanova scored 23 points off turnovers compared with Georgetown’s 3, a margin that swung the game despite similar shot attempts. Villanova’s defense forced mistakes and turned them into easy points.
Late shooting: Lewis’s late threes and Perkins’s steady scoring allowed Villanova to separate when possessions mattered most.
Rebounding and toughness: Georgetown fought on the glass — Iwuchukwu grabbed a game‑high 12 rebounds — but the Wildcats’ ability to convert turnovers and make free throws proved the difference.
Stat Leaders
Team Top Scorer Other Leaders
Villanova Arcaden Lewis 26 pts Tyler Perkins 15 pts; Duke Brennan 13 pts
Georgetown Malik Mack 21 pts Caleb Williams 15 pts; Vince Iwuchukwu 13 pts, 12 reb
Key box‑score notes
Arcaden Lewis: 26 points, including the late back‑to‑back threes that sealed the game.
Tyler Perkins: 15 points and timely perimeter shooting.
Malik Mack: Team‑high 21 points for Georgetown.
Vince Iwuchukwu: 13 points and a game‑high 12 rebounds.
Takeaways
Villanova’s defense‑to‑offense conversion was the story. Forcing turnovers and converting them into 23 points created a gap Georgetown couldn’t erase.
Lewis is a late‑game closer. His ability to create and knock down threes under pressure is a clear asset for Villanova’s tournament push.
Georgetown’s margin for error is thin. The Hoyas must clean up ball security and limit live‑ball turnovers if they want to sustain a conference surge.
What’s Next
Georgetown travels to UConn on Saturday, Feb. 14.
Villanova stays on the road to face Xavier next.
Follow Brandon Walker on all platforms: @bwalkerdadon