Nova Nation had reason to be a bit worried after the opener. Those concerns were certainly alleviated in game No. 2.
Unlike last Friday’s methodical 84-61 win over Fairleigh Dickinson, fifth-ranked Villanova blew past overmatched Penn, 103-65, last night at The Pavilion. It was the Wildcats’ seventh straight win over the Quakers, dating to 2002.
Against its city series rival, the Wildcats pulled away from the start and never looked back.
Promising freshmen Maalik Wayns, Dominic Cheek and Mouphtaou Yarou were solid against Penn.
It was Wayns who led the Wildcats with 16 points. Taylor King, Corey Stokes and Scottie Reynolds chipped in with 14 points apiece.
“It was great playing in a Big Five game,” said Wayns, who played at Roman Catholic. “It means a lot to me to win this game.”