clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

DePaul vs. Villanova 2016 final score: Jenkins fuels Wildcats to 39th consecutive victory at The Pavilion, clinches third straight BIG EAST title

For the third straight year, Villanova is unbeaten at The Pavilion.

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The Villanova Wildcats extended their win streak at The Pavilion to 39 games with their 83-62 victory over the DePaul Blue Demons Tuesday night.

Kris Jenkins was the leading man for Villanova. The Wildcats' sophomore forward scored a career-high 31 points against the Blue Demons, marking the sixth time this season he's tallied 20 points or more in a game. Jenkins went 11-for-18 from the field and 8-for-14 from the 3-point line. The Upper Marlboro, Maryland native also grabbed two rebounds and picked up an assist.

Josh Hart excelled against DePaul as well. A candidate for the BIG EAST Player of the Year, Hart amassed 18 points and three rebounds while shooting 6-for-11 from the field and 5-for-7 from the free throw line. It's the 27th time this season that Hart has scored in double figures.

Eli Cain led the way for the Blue Demons Tuesday night as he, Aaron Simpson and Myke Henry scored in double figures. Cain scored 14 points, continuing his torrid play, but found himself in foul trouble finishing with four fouls. Cain shot 60 percent on five attempts from the 3-point line, and added four assists to his line as well. Simpson and Henry would finish with 11 and 13 of their own.

Three things we learned:

1. The kings stay the kings

Tuesday night's victory gives the Villanova Wildcats their third consecutive BIG EAST regular season championship. The Wildcats have gone on a ridiculous run through the conference in the last three seasons, going 47-6 going into their final game of the year this coming Saturday against Georgetown. No matter your opinion of the conference, that's nothing if not impressive. And from the looks of it, going forward in 2016, their dominance doesn't look like it's coming to an end.

2. Kris Jenkins is the truth

Villanova's dynamic junior forward is continuing to prosper. Jenkins had a career night against DePaul, continuing a stretch of play that has only gotten his name to be spread out there more and become more widely discussed. He could be a big X-factor for the Wildcats in the BIG EAST and the NCAA Tournament thanks to his versatility, and perhaps what they need to finally get back to the second weekend.

3. Eli Cain is continuing to show some promise

DePaul's top freshman Eli Cain shined again on Tuesday night. The Willingboro, New Jersey native scored a team-high 14 points, getting into double figures yet again, as the youngster i sshowing a lot of promise this year. These flashes are turning into hot streaks, and with an offseason of work, Cain could be one of hte best sophomores in the conference next year. And nobody would be surprised.