November 22, 1998

Stats

FAIRBANKS, Alaska - John Celestand's 15 points led a harried Villanova to a 66-57 win Saturday over host Alaska Fairbanks in a semifinal matchup at the Top of the World Classic.

The Wildcats (3-0), much bigger and quicker than their Division II opponent, did most of its scoring in the paint, while the Nanooks (3-1) was pushed to the perimeter on offense.

Brian Lynch added 11 and Malik Brown and Rafel Bigus 10 each for Villanova, which was limited to only 41 shots on the night by a swarming Alaska Fairbanks defense that created nine steals and forced 23 turnovers.

The Nanooks shot 16-for 65 from the floor, a lowly 25 percent.

Rhent Mitchell paced Alaska Fairbanks with 16 points, 13 of them in the second half. Josh Fannon contributed 10 points and Brandon Bieber grabbed nine rebounds.

The Nanooks made only five field goals while shooting 17 percent from the floor in the first half.

But still the Nanooks went to the locker room down only 31-21 because they hit nine of 10 free throws, and their defense pestered the Wildcats up and down the court.

Celestand's eight points led Villanova, which managed only 19 shots in the half.