The University of Pennsylvania men’s basketball team was defeated by Villanova in the Big 5 Classic championship game held at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Saturday night. Villanova secured a 90-63 win after gaining momentum late in the first half and maintaining it through the second.
With this result, Penn’s record dropped to 5-4 overall, finishing the Big 5 series with a 2-1 mark. Villanova improved to 7-1 and claimed its first city series title since the introduction of the current pod format three years ago.
Penn made 11 three-pointers during the game, just one short of its season high set against Providence earlier in the year. The team was outrebounded by Villanova, 38-33, but managed to score 13 second-chance points compared to Villanova’s nine.
Senior Cam Thrower led Penn with 11 points—his first double-digit performance since November 9—and was perfect from beyond the arc, making all three attempts. Junior TJ Power also contributed 11 points along with four rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Michael Zanoni added another 11 points on five-of-nine shooting.
Sophomore AJ Levine scored nine points and had four assists. Sophomore Michelangelo Oberti collected a team-high five rebounds for Penn while senior Dylan Williams distributed five assists without any turnovers. Freshman Jay Jones scored all his nine points in the second half.
Senior Ethan Roberts, who had combined for 61 points against Saint Joseph’s and Drexel earlier in pod play, did not score before leaving Saturday’s game due to injury in the second half.
For Villanova, Bryce Lindsay scored a team-high 18 points, Devin Askew added 17, and Matt Hodge contributed 12. Duke Brennan finished with a double-double—15 points and ten rebounds—plus two assists, three steals, and two blocks. Acaden Lewis led all players with seven assists.
Penn never led during the contest but tied it at eight early in the first half after a jumper from Zanoni. Lucas Lueth later tied it again at 27 before Villanova went on a decisive run to close out the half leading by fifteen. The Wildcats continued their strong play into the second half and maintained control for the remainder of the game.
Penn will return home to host Lafayette on Monday for its final game before fall exams. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at The Palestra.
