Villanova tops Seton Hall on big Philly sports day

PHILADELPHIA — Omari Spellman had 26 points, 11 rebounds and helped No. 1 Villanova kick off a rousing day in Philadelphia sports with a 92-76 win over Seton Hall on Sunday.

The Wildcats (22-1, 9-1 Big East) won their ninth straight game in front of a crowd dotted with green jerseys and chanting for the Eagles just hours before the Super Bowl.

Villanova’s win served as the sports appetizer for a city absolutely whipped into a frenzy, with fans lined up hours before kickoff around the block to get into sports bars to watch the Eagles play the New England Patriots.

Mikal Bridges, who scored 17 points, hit a 3 with 2:22 left for a 21-point lead that seemed to serve as the cue for fans to turn their full attention toward the Super Bowl. They put on dog masks (an Eagles rallying symbol) and chanted “We Want Brady!”

For about 25 minutes, the Pirates (17-6, 6-4) gave the Wildcats a serious scare.

Eric Paschall slammed into the court with such a thump it could be heard in the nose bleeds and subbed out for a quick breather on the bench. Paschall’s timeout was brief. He hit a 3 that tied the game at 48-all.

Jalen Brunson, a top candidate for national player of the year, followed with another 3 that snapped a tie game and seemed to signal the part of the game where Nova usually goes on a decisive run. It was that time. Paschall dunked on the next possession and Bridges came flying out of nowhere down the baseline to put back a missed shot that sent the roaring crowd to their feet in appreciation.

Khadeen Carrington, who averages 14.2 points, was whistled for his fourth foul just 6½ minutes into the half and Bridges blocked a shot that sent the ball soaring over Seton Hall’s bench.

Seton Hall was one underdog Philly had no interest in rooting for an upset.

The “Good Luck, Philadelphia Eagles!” sign flashed on the big screen as fans belted out “Fly, Eagles, Fly!” and the Wells Fargo Center soon turned into the site of a Super Bowl pep rally.

In Columbus, Ohio, Keita Bates-Diop scored a career-high 35 points and had 13 rebounds for No. 17 Ohio State.

The Buckeyes (20-5, 11-1 Big Ten) played without suspended guard Kam Williams. Jae’Sean Tate added 11 points.

Mark Alstork paced Illinois (12-12, 2-9) with 19 points.

In Pullman, Wash., Shannon Evans II scored 23 points and Romello White added 21 for No. 25 Arizona State.

Tra Holder had 20 for the Sun Devils (17-6, 5-6 Pac-12).

Malachi Flynn scored 22 for Washington State (9-13, 1-9), which has lost five in a row.