The Villanova Wildcats continued their mid-season surge with an emphatic 80-69 victory over the Creighton Bluejays on Saturday afternoon at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska. With this win, Villanova extended its streak to five games and notched its 20th victory of the 2025-26 campaign, solidifying their spot among the Big East elite. For Creighton, the loss marked another stumble in what has become a challenging conference slate, leaving them at 13-13 overall and 7-8 in Big East play.
Villanova’s triumph was powered by the dynamic duo of Duke Brennan and Tyler Perkins, both of whom delivered double-doubles and set the tone on both ends of the floor. Brennan finished with 21 points and 12 rebounds, while Perkins chipped in 17 points and 11 boards, showcasing relentless energy and a knack for second-chance opportunities. Head coach Kevin Willard, in his first season at the helm, praised the team’s defensive grit and highlighted Perkins’ impact: “I think Perk had six points on tip backs. They had cut the lead to seven. I think he’s starting to settle into who he is as a player.”
Villanova’s defensive identity was on full display early, as both teams struggled to find rhythm in the opening minutes. The Wildcats and Bluejays combined for just three field goals in the first four minutes, with the Wildcats shooting 5-for-17 from the field to start. But it was Villanova’s 16-3 run, capped by back-to-back three-pointers from Deven Askew, that swung momentum firmly in their favor. Askew, coming off the bench, provided a vital spark with 13 points, including those crucial triples that built a 25-10 lead with 7:17 left in the first half.
Creighton, still reeling from an emotional week after attending the funeral of guard Josh Dix’s mother just a day prior, struggled to keep pace. Isaac Traudt, one of the Bluejays’ top perimeter threats, was ice-cold early, missing his first four attempts from deep. The Wildcats’ defense, which leads the Big East in opponent three-point percentage at just 29.9%, held Creighton to 8-for-27 (29.6%) from beyond the arc on the afternoon.
Despite their early woes, Creighton found some life late in the first half, trimming the deficit to 25-15 before a timely basket from Brennan and a scoring burst from Perkins helped Villanova take a 41-27 lead into halftime. Austin Swartz kept the Bluejays within striking distance, scoring 10 of his 12 points in the first half, while Josh Dix and Nik Graves provided support with 14 and 15 points respectively, Graves doing most of his damage after the break.
After intermission, Creighton came out swinging, converting five of their first six shots—including a pair of threes—to cut Villanova’s lead to 47-40. The crowd of 16,479 roared as the Bluejays made their push, but Perkins’ persistence on the glass and timely scoring helped the Wildcats weather the storm. “They ran a couple of really good (plays) to get baskets at the rim,” Willard admitted, giving credit to the Bluejays’ adjustments. But Villanova’s response was swift, as Malachi Palmer came off the bench to score all 10 of his points in the second half, including a key corner three and a steal-and-score sequence that pushed the lead back to double digits.
Throughout the contest, Villanova’s ball security and defensive discipline stood out. Freshman Acaden Lewis contributed eight points, four assists, and two steals, further cementing his status as one of the nation’s most productive first-year guards. Brennan’s dominance inside was also pivotal, as he recorded his 11th double-double of the season and anchored the Wildcats’ rebounding efforts. “Our wins are predicated on rebounding and Tyler has been amazing with that,” Brennan said, underscoring the team’s emphasis on controlling the glass.
Villanova’s efficiency at the foul line proved decisive down the stretch, as the Wildcats finished 14-for-19 (74%), a marked improvement over recent games. Their ability to close out tight contests has become a hallmark of this squad, evidenced by their recent 77-74 win over Marquette in which they finished on an 11-2 run, with Perkins again playing a starring role.
For Creighton, the defeat was another blow to their postseason aspirations, as the Bluejays have now dropped seven of their last ten games and are in danger of missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019. Jasen Green led Creighton with 11 rebounds, while Hudson Greer added eight points and five boards. Fedor Zugic scored all seven of his points in the second half as the Bluejays tried to rally, but ultimately fell short.
The Wildcats’ victory also avenged a 76-72 home loss to Creighton from January 7, evening the season series at one apiece. Villanova improved to 6-1 in conference road games, a testament to their poise and adaptability away from home. Their methodical pace—ranked 337th nationally in adjusted tempo—hasn’t hindered their offensive efficiency, as they remain among the top teams in both three-point and two-point shooting percentages.
Looking at the broader Big East picture, Villanova’s win keeps them firmly in the top three, trailing only UConn and St. John’s in the standings. The Wildcats now boast an 11-3 conference record and a 3.5-game cushion over fourth-place Creighton and Seton Hall. With the conference tournament less than a month away, seeding is at a premium, and every win counts for positioning and momentum.
Creighton, meanwhile, has seen its season unravel after a promising 3-0 start in league play. Despite efficient three-point shooting in recent games—hitting 52% from deep against DePaul—the Bluejays have struggled on the glass and in late-game execution. Their recent loss to DePaul on a game-winning layup underscored those issues, and Saturday’s defeat to Villanova only deepened the sense of urgency for head coach Greg McDermott’s squad.
As the Wildcats head into the final stretch of the regular season, their blend of veteran leadership, defensive tenacity, and balanced scoring makes them a formidable contender not just in the Big East, but on the national stage. For Creighton, the road ahead is steep, but with talent on the roster and the support of a passionate fan base, the Bluejays will look to regroup and make a late push for postseason play.
Saturday’s showdown in Omaha was a showcase of Villanova’s resilience and rising confidence. With their fifth straight win and a season sweep split with Creighton, the Wildcats are peaking at just the right time as March approaches.