Villanova Wildcats Edge Xavier Musketeers 92-89 in OT Thriller

Sophomore Bryce Lindsay's clutch performance helps Wildcats overcome late comeback attempt

Feb. 20, 2026 at 12:07pm

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In a back-and-forth battle, the Villanova Wildcats defeated the Xavier Musketeers 92-89 in overtime. The game featured several lead changes and dramatic moments, including a controversial flagrant foul call that sparked a Xavier run late in the first half. Villanova's Bryce Lindsay scored 15 points after halftime to help the Wildcats hold on for the victory, while Xavier's Tre Carroll and Jovan Milicevic combined for 48 points in the losing effort.

Why it matters

This hard-fought win on the road keeps Villanova in the hunt for a high seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament, while the loss is a setback for Xavier's postseason aspirations in the competitive Big East conference.

The details

Villanova fell behind early but a strong bench performance helped them regain control in the first half. The second half was a back-and-forth affair, with clutch plays by Villanova's Tyler Perkins giving them a late lead. Xavier's Tre Carroll hit a game-tying shot to send it to overtime, but Villanova's Bryce Lindsay and Acaden Lewis made the crucial plays in the extra period to secure the victory.

  • The game was played on February 18, 2026.
  • Villanova held a one-point lead at halftime.

The players

Bryce Lindsay

A sophomore guard for Villanova who scored 15 points in the second half and overtime to lead the Wildcats to victory.

Tre Carroll

The senior guard for Xavier who scored a game-high 28 points and hit the game-tying shot to send it to overtime.

Acaden Lewis

The star freshman for Villanova who hit the eventual game-winning shot in overtime and finished with 21 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals.

Duke Brennan

The senior forward for Villanova who recorded his 12th double-double of the season with 10 points and 13 rebounds.

Jovan Milicevic

The Xavier sophomore who scored 20 points on 8-of-16 shooting, including 4-of-7 from three-point range.

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What they’re saying

“This was a gritty, hard-fought win for our team. We showed a lot of toughness and resilience to come out on top in a tough road environment.”

— Kevin Willard, Head Coach, Villanova Wildcats

What’s next

Villanova will now face #5 Connecticut on Saturday in a crucial conference and tournament seeding matchup.

The takeaway

Villanova's ability to win close games on the road against tough Big East opponents will serve them well as they push for a high NCAA tournament seed, while Xavier's loss is a setback in their quest to secure their own postseason berth.