PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Maalik Wayns scored 19 points, including the go-ahead layup with 1:09 left, to and No. 12 Villanova escaped with an 84-81 victory over La Salle on Sunday.
Corey Stokes and Corey Fisher had 16 points each, and Dominic Cheek contributed 14 for the Wildcats (8-1), who overcame an eight-point deficit in the final five minutes for their ninth straight victory over the Explorers (6-4).
Jerrell Williams scored 20 points to lead four La Salle players in double figures. Sam Mills had 14 points, Tyreek Duren 13 and Ruben Guillandeaux 10.
Duren’s two free throws with 5:23 remaining put La Salle up 74-66, matching its biggest lead of the second half, before Villanova went on a 12-2 run to take a 78-76 lead with 3:06 left. Cheek capped the run with consecutive 3-pointers.
