December 12, 1998

Box Score

VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) - John Celestand hit an 18-foot jumper with 33 seconds left, then connected on two free throws with 8.8 seconds remaining, as Villanova defeated West Virginia 79-75 in a Big East game Saturday afternoon.

Malik Allen got 18 points and 11 rebounds for Villanova (7-2, 1-1), while Brooks Berry had 15 points for the Mountaineers (4-4, 1-1), who have suffered all of their losses on the road.

A 3-point shot by Berry had given West Virginia a 74-73 edge with 2:14 remaining, and after each team converted a free throw, Celestand connected on his game-winner from the right wing.

The Mountaineers, which trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half, took their first lead of the game, 48-47, on a jumper by Elton Scott with 17:44 left. The teams battled evenly for the remainder of the game, with neither gaining more than a 6-point lead.

Villanova led 43-41 at halftime despite committing 12 turnovers, which led to 15 Mountaineer points.

Brian Lynch added 14 points and Brown 13 points for Villanova, while Scott had 14 points and Jackie Rogers 13 points for West Virginia.