January 19, 1999

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Brian Lynch and John Celestand each scored 15 points as Villanova defeated an undermanned Pittsburgh team 86-65 in a Big East game Tuesday night.

Vonteego Cummings had a season-high 31 points for the Panthers (9-8, 1-6), who played without sixth-man Fred Primus, and starters Ricardo Greer and Jarett Lockhart. Primus was arrested in Philadelphia for grand theft and dropped from the team, Pitt athletic director Steven Pederson announced in a press release before the game.

Greer and Lockhart arrived just before game time but were not used by Pitt coach Greg Willard. The Panthers had only nine players dressed, using regulars and substitute Chris Seabrooks, who had only three points all season.

Malik Allen had 12 points and eight rebounds for Villanova (14-5, 5-4), which never trailed in the game.

Villanova led 36-25 at halftime and, leading 42-35 with 17:21 to play, went on a 16-3 run to take a 58-38 advantage.

Villanova ended up shooting 31-for-59 in the game, and outrebounded Pitt 39-28.

Issac Hawkins, the Big East's leading rebounder, had 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Panthers, who made 25-of-58 shots.