College Basketball
Eric Dixon powers Villanova to win over Providence & End 2 game losing streak

Philadelphia PA: After losing their last 2 games, What can Villanova do to end the losing streak that is what they were attempting to do on Friday Night as they took on Providence Friars from the Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia. Villanova entered the game off a loss to Xavier while Providence made its way to South Philly with a loss to Creighton.
Lineup:
— Villanova MBB (@NovaMBB) January 17, 2025
How the game went:
In the first half, both Villanova and Providence would get off to slow starts as neither team would take control, & then after the under-8 Timeout, The Wildcats would start to figure things out and have a lead up to 9 at 23-14 & then Providence would go on a run and have a lead of 8 and Eric Dixon would hit a shot to cut into the lead going into halftime
Eric Dixon MADE it happen 🙌 What a shot for @NovaMBB pic.twitter.com/QfRquQ8eNS
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) January 18, 2025
Providence took a 37-32 lead into the half, and the crowd at Wells Fargo Center was mixed about how the Wildcats looked in the first half and what they could do to change the game.
At halftime, Villanova would honor the 40th Anniversary of the 1985 Villanova team that won the National Championship
Early in the second half, Villanova would fight to get the gamer tied on 5 separate times with the last being at 59 with 7:26 left. The Friars would respond and the 3-pointers would keep this game from getting out of their hands.
The Play of the game was the Sick Poster Dunk by Villanova Wooga Poplar which got the Wildcats the 61-59 lead with 6:32 left
Villanova's Wooga Poplar with a Dunk of the Year submission
Extra points over the 6'10 Center pic.twitter.com/GwtKNIaaMW
— Ryan Cassidy (@ryancassidycbb) January 18, 2025
Villanova Eric Dixon would drive for a loose ball after block from Poplar & the crowd would give nice creation for the hustle from Dixon
What a block! 😤 And the hustle from Eric Dixon 🔥 @NovaMBB pic.twitter.com/vgNG8GQuO6
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) January 18, 2025
The Wildcats would have the lead up to 5. Then Providence would fight back to get the game tied at 71 & one of the strangest sequences to end a game as the Officials would have to go to the replay monitors as there would be TWO inadvertent whistles in the final seconds & with all of that Providence would have a final shot but the Friars would Turn it over & Villanova would hold on for a 75-73 win to end their 2 game losing streak.
This is one of those types of conference games where things get tight down the stretch but still can hold on in the end.
Postgame:
Providence Coach Kim English:
Villanova Coach Kyle Neptune:
I asked #Villanova Coach Kyle Neptune on what was the difference in tonight win compared to their last 2 losses#NovaNation #NOVAvsProvidence pic.twitter.com/9hRyPDsBma
— David Malandra Jr (@DaveMReports) January 18, 2025
Final Numbers:
What is next:
With the win, Villanova now goes to 12-7 & 5-3 in Big East Play & will prepare for battle with Georgetown on January 20 while Providence falls to 9-10 & 3-5 in the Big East and attempt to get back to the winning ways as they face Georgetown on January 25.