Matt Hodge had 17 points and visiting Villanova never trailed in a 70-55 victory over La Salle on Wednesday night in Philadelphia in a Big 5 Classic Pod 1 contest.

It was the Wildcats' 10th straight win over the Explorers and 19th in the last 20 meetings.

Duke Brennan had eight points and 13 rebounds for Villanova (4-1). He entered as the nation's leading rebounder at 14 a game. Tyler Perkins had 13 points and Acaden Lewis added 12 for the Wildcats, who have won four in a row.

Eric Acker scored 17 points to lead La Salle (2-3), which has lost three in a row.

Villanova scored the first nine points, with Perkins collecting back-to-back buckets on a La Salle goaltending call and a put-back.

La Salle drew to 15-12 with 11:28 left in the half on an elbow jumper by Acker. That was as close

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