PITTSBURGH (AP) — Collin Gillespie scored 20 points, Eric Dixon hit a big 3-pointer late and second-seeded Villanova fended off seventh-seeded Ohio State 71-61 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Malachi Branham scored 15 of his 23 points in the second half. E.J. Liddell added 17 in likely his final game with the Buckeyes before heading to the NBA.
The Wildcats earned their eighth trip to the Sweet 16 under Jay Wright after surviving a second-half push from the Buckeyes.
Ohio State trimmed a 15-point deficit to two before Villanova regained its footing.
The Wildcats will continue its quest for a third national title in seven seasons when they face 11th-seeded Michigan in the South Region semifinals in San Antonio.