Villanova rolls into 2nd round with 86-56 win over Asheville

By Ralph D. Russo, Associated Press

Published Friday, March 18, 2016 | 12:09 p.m.

Updated Friday, March 18, 2016 | 12:43 p.m.

NEW YORK — Ryan Arcidiacono scored 14 points, including a buzzer-beating 3 at the end of the first half, and Daniel Ochefu had 17 points inside as second-seeded Villanova beat UNC Asheville 86-56 Friday to roll into the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

The Wildcats (30-5) will face seventh-seeded Iowa or No. 10 Temple on Sunday in the South Region at Barclays Center, looking to reach the second weekend of the tournament for the first time since their 2009 Final Four run.

The early exits, including the last two seasons as either a one or two seed, have made that Final Four seem long ago for Villanova fans.

Dylan Smith led 15th-seeded UNC Asheville (22-12) with 14 points as the Big South champions bowed out quietly.

Kris Jenkins scored 12 and Jalen Brunson had 10 points for the Villanova, which spent three weeks at No. 1 this season but is under pressure to return to the Sweet 16.

Another second-round loss will lead to another round of questions for Jay Wright and the Wildcats: What's up with the NCAA flameouts?

UNC Asheville was little more than a nuisance for 'Nova. The Wildcats were settling for 3s over the Bulldogs' zone early, but they found their range near the end of the half.

The Bulldogs were four points down with three minutes left in the first half, when Villanova went on a run. The Wildcats knocked down 3s on four straight trips. Arcidiacono finished the flourish with a pull-up 3 as time expired to make it 40-26 at halftime.

Villanova opened the second half getting inside and taking advantage of Asheville's lack of height. The Bulldogs don't have a player in their rotation over 6-foot-6. The 6-11 Ochefu, who was limited last week in the Big East Tournament by an ankle injury, scored nine points in the first eight minutes on dunks and layups. He finished with 10 rebounds.

Phil Booth swished a 3 with 10:08 left to make 62-41 and the Wildcats coasted from there.

TIP-INS:

UNC Asheville: The Bulldogs shot 47.6 percent and held their own on the boards (15-13) against the Wildcats in the first half, but 10 turnovers were a huge problem. Villanova scored 21 points off those giveaways.

Villanova: Patrick Farrell, a senior walk-on from Long Island, made a 3 in the closing minute, drawing a huge cheer from the big Villanova crowd at Barclays.

NEXT:

Villanova gets either a rematch with Philadelphia rival Temple or slumping Iowa from the Big Ten. The Wildcats beat the Owls 83-67 last month in a Big Five game.