Tuesday night's 2012 Big East Tournament game between the Villanova Wildcats and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights has so far been one of runs. The Wildcats took a 24-16 lead on a 9-2 run midway through the first half. The Scarlet Knights promptly went on 18-3 run featuring five 3-pointers, including three in a row from Eli Carter, to retake control of the game.
Maalik Wayns has nine points to lead Nova, while Mouphtaou Yarou and James Bell have chipped in six. Yarou has just three rebounds, but already has two blocks. The Wildcats hope to get JayVaughn Pinkston in rhythm in the second half. He went just 1-for-4 from the floor with five turnovers and zero assists.
Carter has 15 points so far to lead all scorers on 6-for-11 shooting from the field and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. Dane Miller and Myles Mack had six points each, combining to go 3-for-4 from long range. The Wildcats countered the Scarlet Knights' hot shooting somewhat by going 8-for-11 from the free throw line.
Nova heads into the locker room down 34-30. They almost made it closer, but an attempt at halfcourt just rattled out of the rim.
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