Dec. 2, 2006

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Curtis Sumpter scored 28 points and Villanova made its first 23 free throws in a 99-89 victory over Pennsylvania on Saturday night.

Mike Nardi added 19 points and Shane Clark scored 16 in a reserve role for the Wildcats (6-1), who won their fourth straight. Freshman Scottie Reynolds scored 11 and made two big plays to help Villanova fend off a second-half charge by Penn (4-3).

Villanova had its highest scoring game of the young season, and it was enough to offset a career-high scoring game by Penn's Mark Zoller.

Zoller had a career high in scoring for the second straight game with 33 points, including 22 in the first half. Ibrahim Jaaber added 19 for the Quakers, who had their four-game winning streak halted. Brian Grandieri scored all 14 of his points in the second half, and Steve Danley finished with 11.

Penn rallied from a 14-point first-half deficit to take a 72-70 lead two free throws by Grandieri. Reynolds countered with a 3-pointer from the top of the key and Villanova never trailed again.

Reynolds converted a three-point play with 5:02 left to push the Wildcats' lead to 80-74. Penn was unable to cut into the deficit as Villanova was nearly perfect from the foul line until Will Sheridan's miss with 26.9 seconds left.

Zoller's torrid shooting helped Penn stay in contention despite 17 first-half turnovers and 25 overall. The Quakers trailed 47-40 at the break.