Dec 27, 2002

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VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) - Derrick Snowden scored 15 points and Villanova survived a dismal first half to defeat Binghamton 68-53 on Friday night.

Andrew Sullivan, Jason Fraser and Allan Ray each had 12 points for Villanova (6-4), which committed a season-high 26 turnovers in the game.

Anthony Green scored 12 points and Stanley Ocitti had 11 points for Binghamton (4-4) in the first-ever game between the two schools.

Binghamton, playing its first game in 13 days, used an 11-1 run midway through the first half to take a 16-11 lead as the Wildcats went 7:38 without a field goal.

The Bearcats took their biggest lead at 27-18 and held a 27-21 advantage at halftime, holding Villanova to its lowest-scoring half of the season.

Using an all-court press, the Wildcats went on a 15-4 spurt at the start of the second half to take a 36-31 lead. Binghamton closed to 36-35, but a 12-2 run by the Wildcats, capped by a 3-pointer by Ray, boosted the lead to 48-37, and Binghamton never threatened again.