Villanova, PA -- (Sports Network) - Corey Stokes shot 5-of-10 from beyond the arc en route to a game-high 20 points, as the fifth-ranked Villanova Wildcats raised the curtain on the 2009-10 season with an 84-61 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson at The Pavilion.

Corey Fisher totaled 13 points and four rebounds for the Wildcats (1-0), who went 30-8 last season on their way to the Final Four. Taylor King and Antonio Pena both scored nine points, while Scottie Reynolds finished with eight points on 2-of-10 shooting.

Terence Grier poured in 17 points for the Knights (0-1), who lost in Greg Vetrone's debut as head coach. He replaced long-time bench boss Tom Green. Mike Scott donated 15 points and five boards in defeat.

A Sean Baptiste three-pointer trimmed FDU's deficit to one at 10-9 near the four-minute mark, but Dominic Cheek drained a shot from behind the arc, extending the Wildcats' margin to 25-15 just past the midway point of the first half.

The Knights countered with a 15-2 run, capped by a Scott jumper, to assume a three-point lead at 30-27. The teams traded baskets the rest of the way and Villanova went into the break with a slim 35-34 advantage.

The Wildcats led 49-43 early in the second half after Stokes knocked down a trey. Villanova continued to pull away as Fisher's jumper stretched the lead to 63-48 near the middle of the frame. The Wildcats maintained a comfortable cushion until the final buzzer.

Game Notes

Villanova improved to 8-1 in season openers under Jay Wright, winning the last seven...The Wildcats have won 42 in a row as the host on opening night...Villanova has won all three meetings with FDU...Pena grabbed 10 rebounds...Baptiste had 11 points for the Knights.