Jan. 29, 2009

Recap | Box Score

SPECTRUM FINALE
Villanova defeated Pittsburgh tonight in the final collegiate sporting event to be held in the Spectrum, which opened in 1967 and will be torn down later this year. The Wildcats end up 31-28 (.525) in the building with tonight's win, including 16-16 in BIG EAST games and 14-15 (.483) against nationally-ranked opponents. Only one of the 14 victories came against a foe ranked as high or better than Pittsburgh. Villanova defeated No. 2 Syracuse, 75-73, on January 9, 1989.

BEATING THE BEST
Tonight's win was the first over a ranked team in four tries for Villanova this season. It also marked the first time since February 13, 2006 that the Wildcats defeated a team ranked in the top three. On that date, Villanova knocked off No. 1 Connecticut, 69-64, just across the parking lot from the Spectrum at the Wachovia Center.

Villanova vs. Ranked Teams in 2008-09*December 9, 2008    No. 6 Texas 67, No. 15 Villanova 58January 10, 2009    No. 23 Louisville 61, No. 18 Villanova 60January 21, 2009    No. 3 Connecticut 89, No. 20 Villanova 83January 28, 2009    No. 21 Villanova 67, No. 3 Pittsburgh 57

* Villanova lost to Marquette 79-72 in Milwaukee on January 1, 2009. The Golden Eagles were unranked in the Associated Press Top 25 poll released that week but were ranked No. 25 in the ESPN/USA Today poll.

NOTES ON RANKED TEAMS
Villanova is 23-38 (.377) versus ranked teams under eighth-year head coach Jay Wright. The Wildcats are 20-39 (.339) all-time against teams ranked in the top three in the polls, with seven of the wins coming when Villanova is ranked as well. All-time, the Wildcats are 129-220 (.370) against all ranked teams.

VILLANOVA-PITTSBURGH SERIES NOTES
The Wildcats improved to 31-27 (.534) all-time against Pittsburgh, including 4-6 (.400) under Jay Wright. The teams split a pair of meetings last season, with each team winning on its home court. Villanova has won three of its last four home games in the series and seven of the last nine. In BIG EAST regular season games, the Panthers own a 21-20 edge.

CAREER NIGHT FOR REDDING
Junior guard Reggie Redding scored a career-high 18 points thanks to 4-of-6 shooting from the field and flawless 10-of-10 accuracy at the free throw line. He also tied for the team-high with seven rebounds in 34 minutes while adding two assists, two steals and a blocked shot. A Philadelphia native, Redding had never played in or witness a game in the Spectrum prior to this evening. His previous scoring high was 14 points, most recently on November 19, 2008 against Niagara.

CLARK CONTINUES STRONG PLAY
Senior forward Shane Clark continues to provide a lift for Villanova off the bench. In tonight's game, Clark tied for the team lead with seven rebounds, including four on the offensive end, in 18 minutes on the floor. He previously had a season-high eight rebounds at USF this past Saturday. For the year, Clark is averaging 3.4 rebounds per game in 18 contests, but he has pulled down 15 caroms in the last two outings combined. His performance tonight helped the Wildcats outrebound Pittsburgh 19-16 in the decisive second half.