NEW YORK — Ryan Arcidiacono, who struggled through a miserable Big East Tournament a year ago, hit back-to-back threes during a 14-1 second-half stretch that helped No. 3 Villanova outlast upset-minded Georgetown and advance to the semifinals of this year's tournament with a 81-67 win at Madison Square Garden on Thursday.
Arcidiacono, the Big East Co-Player of the Year last season, had just four baskets and scored 14 points in Villanova's three tourney games last year.
On Thursday afternoon, Arcidiacono made 5 of 8 threes and finished with 19 points, six assists and one turnover in the quarterfinal-round game. He was 3 for 3 from beyond the arc in the second half.
Josh Hart led all scorers with 25 points on 7 for 12 from the field, and Kris Jenkins added 15. Freshman Jalen Brunson added nine points.
The production was needed with senior captain Daniel Ochefu hobbled after aggravating his ankle injury in practice Tuesday. Darryl Reynolds helped fill the void by contributing four points, nine rebounds and two steals to go with the four blocks.
Ochefu, averaging 10.3 points and 8.1 rebounds, started but had no points or rebounds in 13 minutes. He didn’t play in the second half.
There were 11 lead changes and four ties, and Georgetown led by as many as six points at 37-31 halfway through the second half.
But Arcidiacono made three threes — all from the right wing — in the span of four minutes as the Wildcats finally pulled away.
What it means
Villanova advances to the Big East semifinals and will play at 6:30 p.m. Friday against the winner of the quarterfinal between No. 5 Butler and No. 4 Providence, scheduled for later Thursday.
The Wildcats improved to 28-4 and have now won seven straight games at Madison Square Garden.
Georgetown, which lost to Villanova by five and 12 points during the Big East season, fell to 15-18.
Villanova remains on track to become the first school to win the Big East tourney twice in a row since Georgetown in 2005 and 2006.
Stat of the day
The win was Villanova’s first ever in the Big East tournament vs. Georgetown. The Wildcats were 0-5 in the tourney vs. the Hoyas before Thursday.
Turning point
Villanova trailed 47-46 with 10 minutes left when Hart scored on a driving layup. After a Georgetown turnover, Arcidiacono buried a three from the right wing to give the Wildcats the lead for good.
Villanova outscored Georgetown 21-6 over the next 5½ minutes.
By the numbers
• Reynolds tied his career high with four blocks. He also had four two years ago against Delaware.
• L.J. Peak led Georgetown with 18 points and Bradley Hayes added 13 points and nine rebounds.
• Georgetown made 5 of its first 8 threes, then shot 3 for 17 from deep the rest of the game.
News
• Villanova’s 62 percent from three-point range (13 for 21) is its best in a game with 20 or more attempts since it shot 68 percent vs. Monmouth in the 2012 season opener (15 for 22).
• Georgetown outrebounded Villanova 42-29.
• Sophomore Phil Booth added seven points and three assists in 20 minutes off the bench for ‘Nova.
What’s next
Looking at Friday’s possible opponents, Villanova swept Butler this year, winning by five and 10 points, and split with Providence, losing by six in overtime in Philly and winning by 12 at Providence.
In the other side of the bracket, No. 2 Xavier faces No. 7 Marquette at 7 p.m. Thursday, and No. 3 Seton Hall has No. 6 Creighton at 9:30 p.m.