| |
RECAP
|
BOX SCORE
NEW YORK (AP) -- Bootsy Thornton scored 21 points and
third-seeded St. John's, which blew a 15-point second-half lead,
scored the game's final six points for a 75-70 victory over
Villanova on Thursday night in the quarterfinals of the Big East
tournament.
The Red Storm (22-7) advanced to Friday night's
semifinals against second-seeded Miami (21-9), which beat Notre Dame 61-58 in the quarterfinals.
That will be a rematch of last week's regular-season finale, won by Miami 74-70 in overtime, and of last season's semifinal, won 62-59 by St. John's.
St. John's (No. 20 ESPN/USA Today, No. 19 AP), which had won nine of 10, appeared in control early,
building a 41-26 halftime lead on 56 percent shooting (18-for-32).
But the sixth-seeded Wildcats (19-12), who trailed 43-28 less than
a minute into the second half, used a 13-2 run capped by
consecutive 3-pointers by Gary Buchanan and Brian Lynch to get
within 43-39 with 16:31 left.
The Wildcats, who shot 58.6 percent in the second half
(17-for-29), tied the game at 59-59 on a free throw by Brooks Sales
with 6:58 left. They took their first lead of the game 66-64 on a
jumper by Sales with 4:04 to play.
Villanova was up 70-69 with 51 seconds left on two free throws
by Buchanan, but those were its last points.
Chudney Gray scored on a drive with 40 seconds left to give the
Red Storm the lead for good and, after a missed jumper by Malik
Allen of the Wildcats with 24 seconds left, Anthony Glover scored
on a breakaway dunk with 16 seconds left. After Villanova turned
the ball over as it scrambled to get off a tying 3-pointer, Erick
Barkley was fouled with 4.8 seconds left and made two free throws
for the final margin.
Lavor Postell had 18 points for St. John's and Barkley had 11
points and 11 assists.
Buchanan led the Wildcats with 19 points and seven assists and
Allen had 16 points and 11 rebounds.
This will be St. John's third straight semifinal appearance. The
Wildcats have not advanced past the quarterfinals since 1997.
| |
ALSO SEE
Mens College Basketball Scoreboard
Villanova Clubhouse
St Johns Clubhouse
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Chudney Gray drives the lane giving the Red Storm the lead.
avi: 994 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Anthony Glover drives the nail in the coffin on this breakaway dunk.
avi: 836 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Brian Lynch keeps the Wildcats hopes alive.
avi: 997 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
|
