Men's Basketball Can't Get By Villanova
2/10/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Box Score (.html)
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. The Seton Hall men’s basketball team dropped its fifth straight BIG EAST contest after losing to Villanova, 78-69, on Saturday. The Pirates (12-11; 3-7 BE), had four players foul out of the game, leaving just five players eligible to finish the last 1:24. Junior Jamar Nutter (Bloomfield, N.J.) broke out for 21 points, shooting 5-of-8 from downtown.
The Wildcats (17-7; 5-5 BE) scored their first seven points from the charity stripe, and a Curtis Sumpter three put Villanova ahead 10-0. After a timeout, the Pirates came back with an 8-0 run, capped by a dunk from freshman John Garcia (Bayshore, N.Y) to make it 12-8. A Mike Nardi three from the wing at the 7:49 mark put the Wildcats ahead by double-digits and the Pirates could not close the gap.
The Pirates struggled from the field in the first half, shooting just 35 percent, and Villanova knocked down 17-of-20 free throws as they went into the half with a 43-27 lead.
Freshman Larry Davis (Middle Village, N.Y.) started the second half scoring seven of his 15 points in a span of 4:27, to cut the deficit to 45-36.
In the most exciting sequence of the game, Nutter knocked down a trey from the corner to make it 50-47. The Wildcats’ Dante Cunningham was fouled on a high-rising dunk and completed the three-point play. Nutter hit another three on the next trip, but Cunningham responded with another three-point play to keep Villanova ahead, 58-50, with 9:29 to go. The Pirates were only able to come as close as seven, as the Wildcats went on for the victory.
Freshman Eugene Harvey (Brooklyn, N.Y.) was able to penetrate in the second half and finished the game with 15 points. Junior Brian Laing (Bronx, N.Y.) was held scoreless for the first time in 28 games, dating back into last season.
Sumpter scored 21 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. Nardi had 16 points, hitting 11-of-15 from the line, and dished out eight assists.
The Pirates have a Valentine’s date with the Connecticut Huskies on Wednesday, Feb. 14, at Storrs, Conn. Tip is slated for 7:30 p.m.
