Donte DiVincenzo’s buzzer beater gives Villanova win over Virginia (video)

The defending national champions were on the verge of going to overtime on Sunday, but freshman Donte DiVincenzo had another idea.

After a 74-72 loss to Marquette last Tuesday night, the defending national champion Villanova Wildcats seem sure to fall from No.1 when the new rankings come out. Sunday’s game against No. 12 Virginia was the first chance at redemption for Jay Wright’s team, but they trailed by nine  (31-22) at halftime.

In the closing seconds, with the score tied at 59 after playing far better as a team in the second half, Villanova senior guard Josh Hart drove the lane for what would have been a game-winning layup. He failed to convert, but freshman guard Donte DiVincenzo moved down the baseline for a potential offensive rebound and was rewarded for his effort. As luck would have it, Fox’s Gus Johnson was on the play-by-play call.

After a brief review, and amid Villanova’s celebration, DiVincenzo’s tip-in for the win was confirmed as good. It was a very close call, but replays showed the ball was clearly off DiVincenzo’s hand when the buzzer sounded.

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DiVincenzo played 19 minutes off the bench on Sunday, scoring three points with two rebounds, two assists and a steal. He only had one field goal attempt in the game, but he clearly made it count. For “the Michael Jordan of Delaware”, as Wright has proclaimed him, Sunday’s tip-in winner may stand as a season-defining moment for DiVincenzo and Villanova.