Feb. 9, 2008
Recap | Box Score | Quotes
LAST POSSESSION WIN: For the third time this season and second time in BIG EAST play, Villanova won a game on its final possession. Junior Dwayne Anderson hit a three-pointer from the left corner with just 12 seconds remaining to account for the final score of 72-70. The Wildcats also defeated LSU on December 6 (68-67) and Pittsburgh on January 6 (64-63) in last-possession wins.
ANDERSON IN STARTING LINEUP: Junior forward Dwayne Anderson made his first career start tonight in his 54th career game. Anderson becomes the ninth different player to start a game for Villanova this season. Anderson played a career-high 36 minutes and finished the game with 13 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals. The 13 points were a season-high and the three assists tied his career high.
MORE MINUTES FOR ANDERSON: In the season's first nine games, Dwayne Anderson appeared in just five contests and averaged 5.8 minutes per game. He has stepped into a larger role since then, playing in 12 of the last 13 games and averaging 18.2 minutes per contest.
CAREER HIGHS FOR CUNNINGHAM: Junior forward Dante Cunningham tied a career high with 21 points in tonight's game and also established a new career high with 13 free throws made. In 37 minutes, Cunningham went 4-of-6 from the field and 13-of-16 from the charity stripe. His previous career high for both points and free throws were set on March 3, 2007 when he had 21 points and made 11 free throws in a win over Syracuse at the Wachovia Center. Tonight marked his first 20-point scoring effort of the season.
FIRST HALF OUTPUT: Villanova led 43-41 at halftime and its 43 first half points were the most since it also scored 43 points in the first half of a 71-58 win over Columbia at the Pavilion on December 29. Tonight marked the first time in the last eight games that the Wildcats led at halftime. Villanova led Cincinnati, 33-31, at the half on January 12 but fell in that game 69-66. The Wildcats had since trailed at the intermission in their previous seven games by an average margin of 8.9 points. Overall, Villanova is 9-1 this season when leading at halftime and 4-7 when trailing at the intermission.
STARTING LINEUP CONTRIBUTIONS: Tonight's starting lineup consisted of guards Scottie Reynolds and Corey Fisher, forwards Dwayne Anderson and Dante Cunningham and center Casiem Drummond. The starting five played a combined 11:46 together during the game, which represents the most any starting five has played in a game this season. During the time the five starters were in the game Villanova owned a +9 scoring margin over the Pirates.
