Freshman Phenom Acaden Lewis Erupts for Career-High 26 Points to Lead Villanova Past Georgetown
In a sensational homecoming performance at Capital One Arena, Villanova freshman guard Acaden Lewis poured in a career-high 26 points to propel the Wildcats to an 80-73 victory over Georgetown on Saturday. Returning to the District of Columbia, where he starred as a high school standout at Sidwell Friends, Lewis dominated the “Holy War” rivalry matchup, delivering a masterclass in efficiency and clutch scoring that silenced the Hoya faithful.
Dominant Efficiency and Crunch-Time Heroics
Lewis was the catalyst for a Villanova offense that struggled to find its rhythm early. He finished the night shooting a blistering 11-of-15 from the field, including 3-of-5 from three-point range, while adding six assists, three steals, and committing just a single turnover in 34 minutes. The Wildcats (18-5, 9-3 Big East) trailed 40-37 at halftime, unable to contain Georgetown’s perimeter attack. However, Lewis took over in the second half, scoring 17 of his points in the final 11 minutes. His two consecutive three-pointers with under two minutes remaining served as the dagger, turning a precarious two-point lead into a decisive advantage.
Overcoming Offensive Struggles
While the final score suggests a comfortable win, critics of the Wildcats’ performance pointed to glaring inconsistencies elsewhere in the lineup. The victory masked a disastrous outing for Villanova’s leading scorer, Bryce Lindsay, who went scoreless on 0-of-8 shooting (0-of-6 from deep). Without Lewis’s heroics, Villanova’s offensive stagnation—highlighted by a sluggish start where they missed their first eight three-point attempts—could have resulted in a damaging upset. Georgetown (13-11, 5-8 Big East) capitalized on these lapses early, led by Malik Mack’s 21 points, and held control of the game’s tempo for significant stretches. Skeptics noted that Villanova’s reliance on a freshman to bail out a veteran roster is a risky formula as March approaches.
Context and Standings
The win marks a critical moment for head coach Kevin Willard’s squad as they jockey for seeding in the Big East tournament. Duke Brennan provided essential support in the paint, recording his 10th double-double of the season with 13 points and 13 rebounds, helping the Wildcats edge the Hoyas on the boards. For Lewis, the game was a validation of his recruitment hype; the D.C. native chose Villanova over a host of blue-blood programs, and his ability to perform in a hostile, yet familiar, environment suggests he is peaking at the right time. The loss drops Georgetown further down the conference standings, continuing a rebuilding struggle for head coach Ed Cooley despite the spirited effort from his backcourt.
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