Feb 3, 2003

Box Score

By JIM O'CONNELL
AP Basketball Writer

PHILADELPHIA - Saint Joseph's backcourt of Jameer Nelson and Delonte West combined for 55 points and keyed a big defensive effort as the Hawks beat Villanova 92-75 Monday night to snap a five-game losing streak to the Wildcats.

Nelson had 30 points and West, who returned from a one-game suspension for an altercation with a trainer, had 25 as the Hawks (16-3) clinched at least a share of its first Big Five title since 1990-91. With a win over La Salle, Saint Joseph's would go undefeated in the intracity series for the first time since 1979-80.

A sellout crowd of 8,722 was rocking at the Palestra, but the only noise was coming from the Saint Joseph's fans almost as soon as the game started.

The Hawks had a 19-4 lead with 12:50 left in the half as West hit consecutive 3-pointers to make the Hawks 5-for-8 from beyond the arc. Villanova (12-8), which lost its third straight, started the game 1-for-7 from the field and had six turnovers in the opening 6? minutes.

Saint Joseph's kept up the hot shooting and the defense in taking a 51-23 lead. The Hawks were 15-for-32 from the field, including 10-for-20 from 3-point range.

The Wildcats shot just 36 percent (8-for-22) and had 17 turnovers in the first half.

The closest Villanova got in the second half was 85-70 with 1:47 left on a 3-pointer by Gary Buchanan, who finished with 19 points.

The Hawks finished 14-for-28 from 3-point range with Nelson going 5-for-11 and West 4-for-6. Pat Carroll added 12 points for Saint Joseph's, all on 4-for-7 3-point shooting.

The game was an exact opposite from last year's meeting. Villanova won that game 102-73 and went 14-for-24 from 3-point range. Buchanan had 29 points in that game and was 7-for-12 on 3s. He had 11 of his 19 points in the final 2:07 on Monday.