COL BKB: Villanova 83, South Florida 71

TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Corey Stokes led five Villanova players in double figures Thursday and the No. 7 Wildcats fought off South Florida 83-71.

Villanova trailed with 3:30 left in the first half but took a five-point advantage at the break. The Wildcats did not earn their first 10-point lead until 8:30 remained in the game.

Dominic Cheek scored 17 points for the Wildcats, Maalik Wayns had 16 and Corey Fisher had 12 points and six assists.

Villanova (13-1, 2-0 Big East) will host unbeaten Cincinnati Sunday in a key conference encounter.

South Florida (6-10, 0-3) got 16 points from Augustus Gilchrist.

Villanova shot 58 percent from the field and hit 9-of-12 from 3-point range. Five of the long-range shots came from Stokes.