December 5, 1998

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Calvin Booth had 21 points, including a hook shot and a jumper during a game-deciding rally, as Penn State beat Villanova for the first time, 70-53 Saturday afternoon.

The Lions (5-1) had been 0-6 against Villanova, with their last loss comin in the 1989 NIT. It was their second victory against a cross-state rival this week: the Lions upset No. 10 Temple 65-64 on Tuesday, their first win over John Chaney's Owls since 1991.

Booth, who added 10 rebounds and three blocks, is averaging 17 points per game and has scored in double-digits in 11 straight games going back to last season.

Joe Crispin added 14 points, and Dan Earl and Titus Ivory each scored 10 for Penn State.

Rafal Bigus led Villanova (6-1) with 15 points and 11 rebounds, and John Celestand had 14 points as the Wildcats dropped their first game this season. They had 18 turnovers and shot 44 percent, five points below average. They shot 0-for-11 from 3-point range.

Penn State led by four at halftime, then extended its lead to 40-33 after Titus Ivory picked Howard Brown and dunked on him at the other end. Four minutes later, the Lions went on a 13-2 run keyed by Earl's 15-footer and 3-pointer. Booth's short jumper put Penn State ahead 55-41 with eight minutes left.

Villanova couldn't get within 10 points the rest of the way.

Penn State led 27-23 after a sloppy first half filled with traveling calls, offensive fouls and throw-aways. The Wildcats had 13 turnovers in the first half.

_{By DAVID KINNEY Associated Press Writer}