The Cincinnati Bearcats overcame a sensational day from Maalik Wayns to defeat the Villanova Wildcats 82-78 in a compelling game at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati on Saturday afternoon.
A close game throughout, Yancy Gates and Sean Kilpatrick stepped up in the second half to help lead the Bearcats to a second straight win, following their 68-64 victory over No. 11 Georgetown Hoyas.
Dion Dixon scored 17 of his team-leading 22 points in the first half for Cincinnati.
Wayns not only scored 39 points, but the junior guard also added 13 rebounds and 6 assists in one of the finest individual performances by a player in college basketball this season. Wayns (39) and Dominic Cheek (19) combined to score 58 of Villanova's 78 points.
With the victory, the Bearcats improve to 14-4 overall and 4-1 in the Big East, while the Wildcats fall 8-10 overall and 1-5 in the Big East.
Following a few days off, the Bearcats have some big games coming up, as they travel to take on the 14-3 and No. 16 Connecticut Huskies on Wednesday, have another road game against the 12-5 West Virginia Mountaineers on Jan. 21, and then host the 18-0 and No. 1 Syracuse Orange on Jan. 23.
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