Bloomsburg Men's Basketball Tips Off Season

PHILADELPHIA-- Bloomsburg University's trip into the world of Big East basketball was a learning experience if nothing else as the 25th ranked Villanova Wildcats posted an 88-41 win over the Huskies Tuesday night in a game played at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia.

Things started well enough got the Huskies as they forced Villanova into an offensive foul on the Wildcats first possession, then got a bucket from Nick Jones with an assist to John Allen to take a 2-0 lead with just 30 seconds gone in the game. The Wildcats, though, came storming back and used a 13-0 run with Corey Stokes hitting a couple of three-pointers to go in front 13-2 with 17:23 left in the opening half.

After a Huskies timeout, Adon El scored on a drive to the basket and Jones picked up his second bucket to bring Bloomsburg to within seven at 13-6. Villanova, though, came back with a bucket by Dante Cunningham and a three and two from Scottie Reynolds to go up 20-6. In all, the Wildcats hit their first eight shots before finally missing.

A bucket by Bloomsburg's Jason Green on a nice reverse layup brought the Huskies to within 22-8 with 12:50 left in the half. Villanova then put together a 16-0 run before El scored inside snapping a four and half minute scoring drought for the Huskies and a 38-10 Wildcat lead.

Villanova used its distinct height advantage and speed to slowly extend it lead to 50-10 with 4:10 left in the half. A Jones three-pointer for the Huskies made it 50-13, then later, a pair of free throws from Andrew Jerry closed the gap to 54-15. But, the Wildcats went to the locker room enjoying a 58-15 lead.

Bloomsburg never quit in the game and got a three-pointer and layup from Niko Traykov in the first three minutes of the second half to make it 62-20 in favor of the Wildcats.

The Huskies later closed the gap to 72-30 after a bucket from Drew Jerry, and then got a three-pointer from Mark Wartman for a 79-35 advantage for Villanova.

The Wildcats finished the game with five players in double figures led by Corey Stokes with 18 points, while Scottie Reynolds added 17. For Bloomsburg, Nick Jones scored nine points and Jason Green added eight.

Bloomsburg will open its season on Friday, November 16th at the Wilmington College tournament.