Jordan Longino scored 17 points on 8-for-14 shooting to help the Villanova Wildcats reach .500 in Big East play with a 59-49 win over the host DePaul Blue Demons in Chicago.After a sluggish offensive start, Villanova (13-10, 6-6 Big East) ended a three-game losing streak by pulling away just past midway through the second half.DePaul trailed 29-26 at halftime and crept closer at 34-32 with 17:52 to play on a 3-pointer from CJ Gunn.Villanova answered with a 15-8 run over about nine minutes to stretch the lead to 49-40 on two free throws by Eric Dixon with 8:13 remaining. That stretch included a jumper and a layup from Wooga Poplar, two jumpers from Longino and a 3-pointer from Tyler Perkins. DePaul never got closer than six again.The Wildcats thrived despite a rare off game from Dixon, the leading scorer in the NCAA who entered averaging 24.2 points per game. Dixon was held to 14 points on 4-for-14 shooting. Poplar, a transfer from Miami, chipped in 12 points and six rebounds.DePaul (11-13, 2-11) shot just 30.8 percent (20 for 65) for the game, including 7 for 36 (19.4 percent) from 3-point range.
