SAN ANTONIO — When Villanova was struggling with its shots in the first half, Donte DiVincenzo provided a wake-up call for the Wildcats.
When Michigan tried to make a move on Villanova in the second half, DiVincenzo put down the uprising with 11 straight points and a wink toward the sideline.
The Wildcats’ sixth-man scored a career-high 31 points and won most outstanding player of the Final Four as Villanova beat Michigan 79-62 on Monday night for its second NCAA Tournament championship in three seasons.
DiVincenzo, who was just a cheerleader for Villanova during that championship run in the 2015-16 season, had the first 30-point effort in a title game since Miles Simon did it for Arizona against Kentucky in 1997.
The redshirt sophomore from Delaware broke his foot early in his freshman season and was limited to eight games and a medical redshirt.
Against Michigan, DiVincenzo was the guy. He had 16 points on an assortment of drives and mid-range shots in the first half as Villanova started 1 for 8 from 3-point range.
The Wildcats’ offense, the best in the country with shooters all over the floor, perked up late and surged to nine-point halftime lead. The advantage quickly bulged to double-digits in the second half. Michigan had whittled it down 12 with about nine minutes left when DiVincenzo hit 3 from up top. The next time down he let another one fly — why not? — and after it swished through he looked toward the sideline and gave a wink.
DiVincenzo finished 10-for-15 from the field, with five rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots. He had the highest scoring game for any single player against Michigan’s stingy defense this season and became the sixth player in the last 40 years with a 30-point NCAA championship game.
