COL BKB: Villanova 74, DePaul 72

ROSEMONT, Ill., Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Scottie Reynolds and Dante Cunningham both scored 18 points Wednesday and No. 12 Villanova held on down the stretch to edge DePaul 74-72.

The Blue Demons lost their school-record 15th straight game.

Dante Cunningham gave Villanova a five-point cushion by making two free throws with 5 seconds to play, after which Dar Tucker hit a 3-pointer to account for the final score.

The Wildcats (23-5, 11-4 Big East) won for the ninth time in 10 games. Corey Fisher added 12 points for Villanova and Corey Stokes had 10.

DePaul almost pulled off its first win in the Big East this season, but the Blue Demons remain without a victory since Dec. 28. Will Walker scored 23 for DePaul (8-20, 0-15).

Villanova owned a 12-point lead with just over 6 minutes to play before being made to sweat out the win. The Wildcats led by eight at halftime after fighting back from an early 11-4 deficit.