Nov 27, 2001

Final Stats?|? Quotes?|? Notes

VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) - Rasual Butler scored 20 points, including 4 crucial free-throws in overtime as La Salle defeated crosstown rival Villanova 61-58 on Tuesday.

Julian Blanks had 16 points, all in the second half, for La Salle (3-2) while Ricky Wright had 18 points and Gary Buchanan 13 for Villanova (2-1).

A 3-point shot by freshman guard Mike Cleaves gave the Explorers a 53-52 edge, but Brooks Sales' 2 free throws with 1:47 left gave the Wildcats a 54-53 advantage. Two free throws by Butler gave La Salle a 57-54 edge with 29 seconds to go, but Buchanan's 2 foul shots with 15 seconds left narrowed the La Salle lead to 1 point.

Butler, who has played in 204 of 205 possible minutes this year, then hit 2 more foul shots with 14 seconds remaining to clinch the game.

Buchanan made two free throws with 34 seconds left in regulation, giving Villanova a 48-45 lead, but Blanks hit a three-pointer with 16 seconds remaining to tie the score and send the game into overtime.

Villanova took the biggest lead of the game, 40-33, with 9:18 left in the second half, but the Explorers ran off eight straight points and took a 41-40 lead on a layup by Reggie Okosa. It was La Salle's first lead since opening the game with a field goal.