Final Score: Villanova 68, South Florida 40

Villanova, PA (Sports Network) - Darrun Hilliard scored 17 points to lead the Villanova Wildcats to a 68-40 thrashing of the South Florida Bulls in a Big East Conference clash at The Pavilion.

JayVaughn Pinkston had 10 points off the bench while Mouphtaou Yarou added nine points and 10 rebounds for Villanova (15-9, 6-5 Big East), which won its second straight contest.

JaVontae Hawkins had 13 points in 21 minutes off the bench for the Bulls (10-13, 1-10) who were without leading scorer and rebounder Victor Rudd (10.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg), who missed the action with a groin injury.

Villanova locked down at the defensive end in the first half, holding USF to 16 points on just 5-of-22 shooting from the field, including 1-of-8 from behind the arc, while the Wildcats made 65 percent of their shots. They led at halftime, 37-16.

USF continued to struggle without Rudd in the second half, failing to make a 3-point shot in nine attempts while Villanova made 4-of-6 from long range, en route to the 28-point victory.

The Wildcats had 11 assists and 39 rebounds while USF managed just three dishes and 28 boards.

02/09 17:39:25 ET