March 15, 2000

Box Score

By JENNIFER BROWN
Associated Press Writer

VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) - Malik Allen scored 16 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, and Gary Buchanan scored 18 as Villanova fought off Delaware for a 72-63 victory Wednesday night in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament.

Villanova (20-12), unbeaten in seven games against Delaware (24-8), ended the first half with a 13-0 run and took its biggest lead at 54-29 early in the second half after a 14-2 run that included eight points by Sales.

Delaware then launched a 16-3 run fueled by a Pegues' 3-pointer at 13:25, closing to 57-45. Villanova was held without a field goal for more than seven minutes in the middle of the half and two in the final 14 minutes.

The Blue Hens closed within four on 12 straight points, including two Pegues jumpers with 3:52 left. Villanova missed four field goals, as Wells hit a 3-pointer to cut the advantage to 63-59 with 2:07 remaining.

Delaware never got closer. Buchanan and Lynch scored seven points from the line in the final minute.

Villanova, which advanced to a second-round matchup against the winner of Thursday's game between Rutgers and Kent State, outrebounded Delaware 54-37 and got 11 blocks to the Blue Hens' three. The Wildcats held on to the lead by making 7 of 10 free throws in the final 1:14.

Both teams lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament last year. Villanova won the NIT in 1994, when it was 19-12.

Buchanan was held without a field goal in the second half. Brooks Sales added 14 points and 11 rebounds for Villanova.

Mike Pegues scored 24 points and had 10 rebounds, John Gordon had 12 points and Madou Diouf 11 points for Delaware.

Pegues, who averages 20.7 points per game, was held to just eight points in the first half and with 13 minutes remaining in the game was 3-for-14. But he scored eight points during during Delaware's 16-3 run and had 16 in the second half.

With the score 27 all, Buchanan made a 3-pointer with 4:52 left in the half to spark the 13-0 run.