The Villanova Wildcats trailed by eight early in first half, but made a strong run before halftime then never looked back capping off a 79-62 win over the Michigan Wolverines in the NCAA men’s basketball national title game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas Monday night.
Villanovas Donte DiVincenzo, the sixth man of the year in the Big East Conference was the story of the game. The sophomore guard came off the bench to score 18 first half points, finishing with 31 for the game to go along with five rebounds and three assists. DiVincenzo led a 23-7 run by the Wildcats to turn a seven point first half deficit into a 37-28 halftime lead. Mikal Bridges was only other Wildcat in double figures finishing with 19 points and four rebounds. Jalen Brunson had nine points, and Omari Spellman added eight points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Villanova (36-4) captured their second national championship in three years, and third overall. The champs led by as many as 22 points late in second half. The ‘Cats won each game of the tournament by at least 12 points, winning by an average margin of 18 points.
Muhammad Ali Abdur-Rahkman led Michigan (33-8) with 23 points. Moritz Wagner added 16 points and seven rebounds. The loss ends a 13 game winning streak for the Wolverines, who was seeking their first title since 1989. Michigan was outrebounded 38-27, outscored by Villanovas bench 31-7, and shot just 3-23 from three point land (13%), while ‘Nova was 10-27. DiVincenzo was 10-15 from the floor, 5-7 from the three point line in 37 minutes.
