Strong defensive effort combined with Collin Gillespie’s 23 points leads No. 6 Villanova to 81-52 rout of St. Joseph’s

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The Philadelphia Inquirer

VILLANOVA, Pa. — If there’s anything Villanova has accomplished during its Big 5 week, it’s gradual improvement at the defensive end that will prepare the Wildcats for the brutal three-game stretch away from Finneran Pavilion that awaits them. The sixth-ranked Cats limited St. Joseph’s to less than a point a minute Saturday for the first 30 minutes and held the visitors to 36.2% shooting overall in an 81-52 victory at Finneran Pavilion, their third win in seven days over a Big 5 opponent. Collin Gillespie had another strong offensive game with 23 points, including five 3-point baskets, and Jus…