Buddy Hield opened the game with an amusing step-back three pointer. In the first nine minutes of the game, both teams were very aggressive and shot efficiently from the three-point line. Nova applied full-court pressure to contain the Sooners fast paste offense. The Sooners were scoreless for five minutes in the first half, which gave Nova an opportunity to go on an 11-0 run (28-17) with 6:50 reaming in the first half.
The Wildcats lead at halftime (42-28) shooting 66.7% from the field and over 50% from the three. Junior Guard Josh Hart exploded for 15 first-half points. He was a major factor for the team’s success. Villanova’s defense forced 6 turnovers, which required Oklahoma to value the ball in the 2nd half.
Although Oklahoma’s’ junior point guard Jordan Woodard had a tremendous spark to began the second half. It was not enough firepower to defeat the Wildcats. It’s difficult to win against a team that shoots 71% from the field and 61% from three. Josh Hart finished the game with 23 points and shot a magnificent (10-12) from the field.
This is Villanova’s first trip to the NCAA Championship in 31 years and they will wait to play North Carolina or Syracuse in the championship.