December 22, 1998

Box Score

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Villanova used its height advantage and a 22-8 burst at the start of the second half to beat back a determined Rider team Monday night, 86-73.

The Wildcats (9-2) were paced by their two big men, 6-foot-10-inch Malik Allen, with a season-high 21 points, and 7-foot-1-inch Rafal Bigus, who added 16 points, 15 in the second half. The Broncs' tallest player, Jonathan McClark, is only 6 feet 7 inches tall.

Greg Burston topped all scorers with 22 points for Rider (4-3).

Rider jumped out to an 18-6 lead and increased its margin to 23-10 on a jump shot by McClark with 10:50 left in the first half.

But Villanova, sparked by Allen, rallied to close the gap and ended the half with a 36-35 lead.

The Wildcats opened the second half with a 22-8 run that put the game out of reach for the Broncs.

With the win, Villanova extended its lead in the series with Rider to 22-1. Its only loss came in 1945.