March 19, 2002

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VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) - Villanova relied on Gary Buchanan to extend its season.

Buchanan made two free throws with 12.5 seconds remaining and finished with 21 points to lead Villanova to a 67-64 victory over Louisiana Tech in the second round of the NIT on Tuesday night.

Derrick Snowden added 14 points, and Ricky Wright 13 as Villanova advanced to the quarterfinals of the NIT for the first time since 1994. Reserve Reggie Bryant added 10 points for the Wildcats.

"As the game was winding down, Snowden was looking for me every time," Buchanan said. "Coach told me to keep shooting. No matter if I missed seven or eight in a row, just keep shooting. I did and I was able to hit the big shots to help us win the game."

Villanova will take on Big 5 rival Temple, a 65-62 winner over Louisville, in the quarterfinal round on Friday at Temple.

Gerrod Henderson, whose 3-point attempt at the buzzer bounced off the rim, led Louisiana Tech with 19 points. Antonio Meeking added 10 points and 10 assists for the Bulldogs (22-10).

The Wildcats (19-12), who averaged 19 turnovers this season, finished with a season-low three turnovers.

It was the fewest turnovers by any Villanova team since they had just one in a game against Davidson in November of 1988.

Villanova extended its 12-point halftime to 45-31 when Andrew Sullivan made one of two free throws with 17:31 left.

Louisiana Tech went on an 18-7 run over the last four minutes, closing within one point before Buchanan hit his free throws.

"We always seem to have a lackadaisical stretch every game where things just don't go our way," Snowden said. "But that's when we rely on our defense to stop the other team enough to get a victory."

Louisiana Tech absorbed its first loss of the season when holding an opponent under 70 points, snapping its 19-game streak.

"Being down 14 points with 15 minutes left is something we've faced a lot of times this year," Henderson said. "So we knew we could come back. My last shot was a good look, and when I released it, it felt like it was going down.

"Even after it hit the rim, I thought it was going to bounce through. But unfortunately, the shot just didn't go in."

At stake in the Villanova-Temple game Friday is a berth in the NIT Final Four in New York.

"To get a shot at Temple at this time of year, I really can't describe what the atmosphere will be like," Buchanan said. "Villanova and Temple. It'll be unbelievable."