Top 25: Villanova 75, No. 3 Syracuse 71 in OT

Top 25 basketball • A desperation 3-pointer forced overtime.

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Philadelphia • Ryan Arcidiacono took the inbounds, heaved the ball, and ducked.

Hundreds of Villanova students trampled the court like a bull rush and the game-saving point guard was the target.

One overzealous fan tried to strip him of his No. 15 jersey.

Hey, it's not every day the Wildcats knock off a top 5 team — though they sure are trying.

Arcidiacono hit the tying 3-pointer with 2.2 seconds left in regulation, and James Bell hit consecutive 3s in overtime to send Villanova to its second win over a top 5 team this week, 75-71 over No. 3 Syracuse on Saturday.

The Wildcats defeated No. 5 Louisville 73-64 on Tuesday and became the first unranked team to beat two top 5 teams in the same season since Florida State in 2011-12, according to STATS LLC.

"What a week for us," Villanova coach Jay Wright said.

What an understatement.

Philadelphia's college fans came down with a case of court-storming fever this week after Villanova's win over Louisville and La Salle's 54-53 win the next night over No. 9 Butler. At the Wells Fargo Center, home of the NHL's Flyers, the fans made it a Philly hoops hat trick, rushing the court in celebration of perhaps the biggest regular-season week in Villanova history.

Arcidiacono's 3-point attempt to tie with about 25 seconds left in regulation was off the mark. Syracuse's Michael Carter-Williams missed the front end of a 1-and-1, and JayVaughn Pinkston of the Wildcats grabbed the rebound.

Bell missed a 3 and Mouphtaou Yarou grabbed the offensive rebound. Syracuse decided not to foul, giving Yarou time to kick it out to Arcidiacono. He let go a leaner from just beyond the 3-point line to tie the game at 61-61, force overtime and send the crowd of 18,273 into a frenzy.

"I just put it up and luckily it went in," Arcidiacono said. "I think we're having fun."

The Wildcats may not be ranked in next week's AP top 25 poll, but they have worked their way into NCAA tournament discussion.

The next time Villanova wins a big one, fans can stay seated.

"It was fun, but hopefully people know we don't need that anymore," Arcidiacono said.

With the Orange (18-2, 6-1 Big East) down two points in overtime, Brandon Triche made one free throw with 46.5 seconds left.

Bell followed with a layup for a 71-68 lead, and the Wildcats (13-7, 4-3) held on from the free-throw line. —