Villanova Edges USC 60-59 in College Basketball Crown Quarterfinals

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — In a thrilling quarterfinals showdown of the College Basketball Crown, the Villanova Wildcats edged the USC Trojans 60-59 on April 3, 2025. This close contest concluded with Villanova securing a spot in the semifinals, thanks to a key free throw from Eric Dixon with just 1.9 seconds remaining.

The game was tightly contested from tip-off to the final buzzer, with both teams trading leads and striving for the upper hand throughout the matchup. USC, despite starting slow and failing to score in the first three minutes, rallied back to take a narrow lead into halftime, 31-27.

Eric Dixon led the Wildcats with an impressive performance, netting 24 of his 28 points in the second half. His crucial contributions helped Villanova recover from a nine-point deficit. “I just said to him, ‘Look, you’re hesitating a little bit too much. You’ve got some open looks. Take your shots,’” interim head coach Mike Nardi stated. “Just let him go to work. He made great decisions tonight,” he added.

Villanova’s offensive struggles stretched into the second half, where poor shot selection hampered their performance. USC capitalized, establishing a twelve-point lead early in the period, creating a formidable challenge for the Wildcats.

However, Villanova found their footing with a surge of energy led by Dixon, who scored 14 points during a pivotal 16-2 run that regained them the lead. The final minutes saw both teams exchange baskets, culminating in a tense 59-59 tie with less than a minute left.

In the dying moments, Dixon was fouled and succeeded in one of his two free throws, sealing the victory for Villanova. “We always talk to our guys about defending and rebounding, and that really sealed the game for us,” Nardi remarked, praising the team’s defensive efforts.

Saint Thomas, a USC forward, contributed significantly for the Trojans with 23 points and 13 rebounds but could not secure the win in the final possession as his shot failed to land before the buzzer sounded.

With this win, Villanova is guaranteed at least a $50,000 NIL prize and now looks forward to a semifinal matchup with the University of Central Florida on Saturday, April 5, 2025. The game is set to air on FOX at 4 p.m. ET.