Dec. 12, 2003

Final Stats?|? Quotes?|? Notes

By DAN GELSTON
AP Sports Writer

PHILADELPHIA - Curtis Sumpter scored a career-high 39 points and grabbed nine rebounds, leading Villanova to a 74-55 win over Northeastern on Friday night.

Sumpter made his first six shots, including three 3-pointers, as the Wildcats (6-2) raced to a 26-9 lead on the way to their third-straight win.

But Northeastern (3-4), who went scoreless for 8 minutes during the first half, began a late rally with four-straight 3-pointers. Adam Drain sank two, and Jesse Dunn and Sylbrin Robinson each hit one, making it 34-21 at the half.

Marcus Barnes made two three-pointers and Javorie Wilson hit one in the opening minutes for Northeastern, which had only one other field goal during that span.

Sumpter and Will Sheridan had a couple of thunderous dunks, pushing the lead back to 11, but Barnes, who led the Huskies with 16, hit another three to make it 45-37 eight minutes into the half.

Villanova's Allan Ray and Randy Foye each followed with 3s to start an 11-3 run, and the Wildcats never let the lead dip below double digits again.

Sumpter, who coach Jay Wright called Villanova's most improved player, went 16-for-20 from the floor. He was the only Wildcat in double figures.

Jason Fraser, who had not played this season because of a stress fracture in his left heel, made his debut with 10 minutes left in the first half. Fraser missed the final month of last season because of his heel, and he was suspended for the final three games for misuse of a university telephone access code.

This was the final game that Villanova was affected by the phone-code suspensions. Both Marcus Austin and Derrick Snowden sat out Friday. The Wildcats will have a full roster for their Dec. 22 game against Columbia.