NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) - In a thrilling semifinal matchup at the Battle 4 Atlantis, Villanova emerged victorious with an 83-81 overtime win over No. 14 North Carolina on Thursday. The Wildcats' Justin Moore played a pivotal role, scoring five of his 16 points during the extra period, while Eric Dixon had a career-high performance, notching 34 points and 10 rebounds.

With this victory, Villanova (5-1) secured a place in the championship game, set to take place on Friday against the winner of the No. 20 Arkansas-Memphis matchup. On the other hand, North Carolina (4-1) will now compete for third place in the tournament.

The game was tightly contested, with both teams displaying their offensive prowess. In the dying moments of regulation, North Carolina's Cormac Ryan drained a clutch 3-pointer off a well-executed drive and pass from Elliot Cadeau, tying the game at 68 with just 34.4 seconds remaining. Villanova had a chance to secure the win before the end of regulation, but Moore's 3-pointer attempt rimmed out. The Tar Heels also had an opportunity, but RJ Davis' off-balance 3-point shot couldn't find the mark, leading to overtime.

In the extra period, Moore made his presence felt as he converted a crucial three-point play with 2:08 left, giving Villanova a lead they would not relinquish. Mark Armstrong added 10 points to the Wildcats' cause.

Leading the way for North Carolina was Davis, who contributed 23 points to his team's efforts. Harrison Ingram also had an impressive performance, scoring 20 points before fouling out with 3:44 remaining in regulation. Ryan finished the game with 18 points, while Armando Bacot chipped in with eight points and an impressive 18 rebounds.

Dixon was the standout player for Villanova, reaching the 20-point mark in the first half alone. He showcased his versatility, going 6 of 9 from the field, including a perfect 3 of 3 from beyond the arc, and making all five of his free throw attempts in the opening half.

The victory for Villanova sets up an exciting showdown in the Battle 4 Atlantis championship game, where they will face a formidable opponent in their quest for tournament glory. Fans can expect a closely contested match as the Wildcats display their skills and determination on the court.

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