bell posted averages of 8.3 points and 4.2 rebounds per game in his junior season. villanova went 11–2 in games that he scored in excess of 10 points. his season-high 19 points came on november 11, when the wildcats defeated the marshall thundering herd. the following game, bell hit two three-pointers in overtime to help villanova defeat purdue 89–81. he finished with 16 points. bell tallied 12 points–including the winning three-pointer–in a december 11 victory over crosstown rival saint joseph's. on january 26, 2013, bell notched 13 ponts and hit consecutive three-pointers in overtime in a win over syracuse. villanova reached the ncaa tournament, and bell scored four points in their matchup versus north carolina.