Maryland-Eastern Shore vs. Villanova game recap: Wildcats cruise to second victory

In Villanova's first game of the season, against the Lehigh Mountain Hawks, the Wildcats had to come back from a surprising deficit. On Monday against UMES, that wasn't the case.

Instead, 'Nova broke open a 31-point lead at halftime and never looked back, on the way to an 81-44 victory over the Shore Hawks.

The out come of this game was really decided by the smothering Wildcats' defense. On the night, UMES shot only 34 percent from the field and 26.7 percent from the 3-point line.

Beyond those overall defensive numbers, the Villanova defense really flexed its muscle in the first half. The 'Cats held UMES to only 14 of its 44 points on the game and held the Shore Hawks scoreless over two different five minute periods.

They also forced a number of UMES turnovers, 22 total on the game.

On the other side, Villanova shot pretty efficiently from the field, just a hair under 57 percent, but where the 'Cats really took advantage of their opportunities was at the free throw line. Nova went to the line 19 times, and converted on 16

A number of 'Cats put up double digit point totals as well. In all, four different Wildcats finished in double figures. Kris Jenkins led all scorers (raise your hand if you saw that coming) as he compiled a career high 15 points. After him, Daniel Ochefu, Darrun Hilliard and Dylan Ennis all chipped in 10 points as well.

For UMES, two players really shined as the rest of the team was essentially nonexistent offensively. Devin Martin led all scorers with 17 points and Mike Myers (not the serial killer, or the guy who played Austin Powers) also chipped in 14 of his own. Outside of those two, the rest of the team came in as the third leading scorer with 13.

With the win over UMES, Villanova now shifts its focus to a Nov. 20 matchup against the Bucknell Bison.