Jan 28, 2002

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VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) - Gary Buchanan had 28 points, including a career-high of seven 3-pointers as Villanova crushed local rival Saint Joseph's 102-73 Monday night.

Buchanan had 16 of his points in the first half as the Wildcats opened up a 19-point lead at the break.

Ricky Wright and Reggie Bryant both had 17 points and Derrick Snowden added 15 for Villanova (11-6), which snapped a two-game losing streak.

The Wildcats have now beaten the Hawks (12-6) five straight times. It was the biggest margin of victory in the 81-year history of the series.

Jameer Nelson and Na'im Crenshaw both had 13 points for Saint Joseph's, which has lost two in a row after a six-game win streak. The Hawks have lost five straight non-conference games.

Marvin O'Connor, the Hawks' leading scorer (19.8 points) who transferred from Villanova in 1998, had just 10 points.

The Wildcats were blistering from the field in the first half, making 21-of-34, including 7-of-12 from beyond the 3-point arc, to build a 54-35 lead at halftime. It was the most points surrendered in a half this season by Saint Joseph's, which turned the ball over 10 times.

A 3-pointer by Buchanan with 34 seconds left in the first half capped a 13-4 run and gave Villanova its 19-point halftime cushion.