Eric Dixon scored 24 of his game-high 28 points in the second half, helping lift Villanova past USC 60-59 in a defensive struggle in a quarterfinal matchup at the College Basketball Crown.

With 15:39 to play, the Wildcats trailed the Trojans 41-29. Dixon then carried the offensive load over the remainder of the half on a night when the 'Cats connected on just 22-of-58 field goal attempts (.379).

Nearly as critical to the triumph was a second half defensive effort that limited USC to 11-of-32 shooting from the field (.344).

While Dixon's offensive output captured the headlines, Interim Head Coach Mike Nardi also pointed to his work at the other end.

"I just want to say one thing about Eric defensively tonight," said Nardi. "At the end of the game he was outstanding. Switching, in a stance, getting stops, grabbing the last rebound, which was huge for our team. We always talk about defending and rebounding in our program. I know he had 28 points, but his defense really sealed the game for us."

Tough Sledding on Offense

Enoch Boakye scored the game's first four points on a pair of slam dunks but USC answered with six straight points, including four from Saint Thomas. The Wildcats were just 2-of-9 from the field over the opening 4:10 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Dixon, Wooga Poplar and Jhamir Brickus helped kick start the Villanova offense midway through the period, sparking a 7-0 run that allowed the Wildcats to regain the lead at 20-16 with 10:42 to play in the first half. Former Xavier standout Desmond Claude helped keep the Trojans close with a pair of difficult 3-pointers.

USC came back to tie the contest at 23 but the defensive grip of both squads tightened as the period unfolded. The Wildcats endured a 1-of-9 from the field stretch but remained level thanks to sound defense at the opposite end of the floor.

The Trojans, though, made four consecutive shots over the final three minutes to take a 31-27 lead into the locker room at halftime.

After sinking 7-of-14 field goal attempts to open the half, the Wildcats made just 3-of-16 the rest of the period. All three of those buckets came courtesy of Poplar, who paced VU with 14 first half points. Fourteen of those 30 first half attempts came from beyond the arc (3-of-14).

Thomas (10 points) and Claude (eight points) led the Trojans, who converted 14-of-27 field goal attempts (.519).

"They took it to us in the first half," stated Nardi. "I thought we had some pretty good looks. Their length bothered us."

After Intermission

Thomas scored the first five points in the second half, allowing USC to push its advantage to 36-27. Villanova, meanwhile, struggled to find any kind of offensive rhythm, making just 1-of-5 over the first 4:01 of the second half. The Trojans lead was 38-29 at that juncture of the contest.

USC expanded its advantage to 41-29.

"We just continued to grind and grind," Nardi said.

A Dixon Delivery

The 'Cats used a 7-0 spurt to narrow the deficit to 41-36 with 11:57 left in this one. Dixon drained his first 3-pointer of the evening and USC went without a point for 4:11 before scoring inside the paint to make it 43-36. Dixon came through with a basket on the next possession and the Wildcats were within five points again.

A Dixon 3-pointer from the corner closed the gap to 43-41. Poplar followed with an up and under move to tie it at 43 and then came a Dixon post move basket while falling to the floor. Villanova was back on top, 45-43 with 8:32 on the second half clock.

Home Stretch

After USC tied it at 45, a Dixon triple from the top of the key put Nova up 3. The Trojans got an old school three-point play from Rashaun Agee to tie it at 48 before Brickus dropped in another 3-ball to push the edge to 51-48. Agee then sank produced another traditional 3-point play to knot matters at 51.

There was 5:29 on the second half clock.

It was a nip and tuck affair through the final minutes. Dixon's 3-pointer put VU back on top 59-57 but USC quickly tied it. That's where the game stood as the clock ticked below one minute.

After a Villanova defensive stop, Dixon was fouled on an attempted field goal with 18.3 seconds on the game clock. The forward sank one of two, giving VU a 60-59 edge. The Wildcats then got a defensive stop and Dixon secured the rebound. He was fouled with 2.2 seconds left but misfired on the front end of a one-and-one. USC grabbed the rebound and called for time out with 2.0 seconds on the clock.

USC's desperation attempt never got to the rim and the Wildcats emerged with a 60-59 win. They next meet UCF in the semifinal Saturday at 4 p.m. eastern time at T Mobile Arena.

What They Said

Brickus on Dixon's second half explosion: "It was amazing. Just the way he was able to score the ball and get to the line."

Nardi on Dixon: "We had a little talk at the end of the first half. I just said to him, 'E, you're just hesitating a little too much. When you've got some open looks, you've got to shoot em' up, sleep in the streets'. Take your shots when they are (available).

"Eric is trying to get people involved and to make the right play. That's just who he is. Once he gets it going, you try to move him around, put him in different spots. His teammates know where he likes the ball. Then, you let him go to work. He made great decisions tonight."