Nov. 28, 2002

Box Score

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Freshman Jason Fraser had 24 points and 15 rebounds as Villanova defeated Loyola Marymount 87-71 Thursday in the first round of the Great Alaska Shootout.

Fraser shot 5-for-7 from the field and 14-for-16 from the free throw line. Ricky Wright added 19 points for Villanova (2-1), which plays Michigan State in the semifinals.

Andy Osborn scored 17 and Charles Brown scored 12 for the Lions (2-1).

Villanova took its biggest lead of the first half, 22-14, with just over 10 minutes left on a 3-pointer by Randy Foye. A 17-5 Loyola run gave the Lions a 31-27 lead with 2:53 remaining, but Villanova closed with an 8-2 run of its own and took a 36-33 halftime lead.

Loyola took its last lead at 47-46 with 14:48 to play. Over the next six minutes, Fraser scored 14 of Villanova's 18 points to give the Wildcats a 64-58 lead.

The Lions got no closer than seven the rest of the way.

Villanova outrebounded Loyola 41-20.

The Lions shot 65 percent from the floor in the first half and 46 percent for the game.