No. 14 Cincinnati suffers a setback against Villanova while Dixon shines for the Wildcats

The No. 14 Cincinnati Bearcats were defeated for the first time of the 2024-25 season on Tuesday night, with Eric Dixon’s 31 points leading the Villanova Wildcats to a 68-60 victory over UC.

Dixon, one of the country’s leading scorers with 25.1 points per game start, showed why he is one of the best players in the Big East by leading the previously 4-4 Wildcats to their first win over a ranked opponent this season.

Villanova stumbled this season with four losses in its first eight games, including losses to Columbia and Saint Joseph’s.

On Tuesday night, however, Kyle Neptune’s Wildcats were disruptive defensively against the Bearcats, holding Wes Miller’s team to a 30.8 percent shooting rate from long range.

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The Bearcats, still without guard Dan Skillings Jr. after he underwent knee surgery last month, failed to produce much shooting all night and posted their lowest point total of the season.

Villanova led by nine goals at halftime (37-28), thanks largely to shooting 54 percent from the field compared to just 41 percent for the Bearcats.

Led by senior Dixon, Villanova pulled ahead in the second half and handed UC its first loss of the season. The Bearcats were led offensively by guard Jizzle James with 19 points. Simas Lukosius scored 13 points for Cincinnati.

Cincinnati will be back in action on Sunday when it hosts Howard at Fifth Third Arena.