Dominic Cheek poured in 20 of his career-high 27 points in the first half and Mouphtaou Yarou added 24 as Villanova blitzed visiting Monmouth 106-70 on Friday.

The Big East's Wildcats rolled to a 55-36 halftime advantage in routing their Northeast Conference opponent for the second straight year.

Villanova won last season 76-36, but only got one point from Cheek in that victory. On Friday, he sank 5-of-8 3-pointers, part of the Wildcats' 12-for-25 night from beyond the arc. Cheek made only 25-of-82 3-point attempts last season, when he averaged 5.6 points.

Jesse Steele had 12 points, and Phil Wait and Dion Nesmith added 10 apiece for the Hawks, who were held to 23-of-59 shooting.

Villanova hit the century mark on a pair of Maalik Wayns (17 points) free throws that made it 100-62 with 7 minutes remaining. The Wildcats went 22-for-26 at the foul line.

Former McDonald's All-American JayVaughn Pinkston, who was suspended last season for disciplinary reasons, contributed seven points off the bench in his first game for the Wildcats.