Justin Moore hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 8.8 seconds remaining to lift sixth-seeded Villanova past 11th-seeded DePaul 58-57 in the opening round of the Big East tournament Wednesday in New York City.The Wildcats (18-14) will play third-seeded Marquette in the quarterfinal round on Thursday.Eric Dixon had 21 points and nine rebounds, Mark Armstrong added 11 points, and Moore scored eight of his 10 in the second half.Jalen Terry led DePaul with 18 points and 15 rebounds.The Blue Demons (3-29) lost their final 20 games of the season. They had one last possession but Armstrong stole the ball.Moore hit a tough shot in the lane with 7:06 left for a 47-45 Villanova lead.Terry responded with a deep 3-pointer from the wing with 6:17 remaining for a 48-47 DePaul advantage.Later, Da’Sean Nelson converted a three-point play with 1:52 remaining for a 55-52 lead for the Blue Demons.Then Dixon came back with a 3-pointer with 1:31 left to equalize at 55.Terry answered for DePaul with a pullup jumper with 1:13 left to give the Blue Demons a two-point lead and setting the stage for Moore’s winning basket.
Villanova squeaks by DePaul in Big East opener
By
/