Villanova, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Ryan Arcidiacono led the way with 18 points and six assists as No. 5 Villanova cruised past Xavier for an 88-75 win on Wednesday.

Dylan Ennis went 5-of-8 from 3-point range to finish with 17 points and Josh Hart chipped in with 15 points and seven rebounds off the bench for the Wildcats (16-1, 4-1 Big East), who have won three straight following their lone blemish of the season, a 66-61 overtime loss to Seton Hall on Jan. 3.

Matt Stainbrook scored 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field and Jalen Reynolds contributed 14 points, five boards and three blocks for the Musketeers (11-6, 2-3), who have dropped three of their last four games.

Darrun Hilliard, Arcidiacono and Ennis each made a 3-pointer as the Wildcats jumped out to an 11-2 lead less than four minutes into the game.

After J.P. Macura brought the Musketeers within six points, Villanova answered with a 12-2 run that featured seven straight points from Hart for a 34-17 lead.

The Wildcats maintained its lead as the game was 45-27 at halftime.

Daniel Ochefu capped a 9-0 spurt early in the second half with a layup, giving Villanova a 59-36 lead with 14 minutes to play.

Dee Davis, however, scored the first seven points of Xavier's 13-2 burst that cut the deficit to 12.

Stainbrook scored six points, Myles Davis hit a jumper and Reynolds dunked to make it a 67-57 game with seven minutes to play.

JayVaughn Pinkston's two free throws kickstarted an 8-0 run with under five minutes to play and the Wildcats led comfortably the rest of the way.