March 18, 2005

Box Score |  Notes | Video Highlight

By NANCY ARMOUR
AP National Writer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Villanova has the quick start down. It's finishing the game off that gave the Wildcats some trouble.

Chris Lowry made two sets of free throws in the final 1:38, then came up with a clutch steal as Villanova held off New Mexico 55-47 in the first round of the NCAA tournament Friday afternoon. Randy Foye finished with eight points, while Mike Nardi led the Wildcats with 15 points.

Fifth-seeded Villanova moves on to face fourth-seeded Florida (24-7) in the Syracuse Regional on Sunday, but the Wildcats know they got away with one against the Lobos.

After holding 12th-seeed New Mexico to just 11 points in the first half and leading by as much as 24, Villanova almost gave the game away. The Wildcats (23-7) made just three field goals - yes, three - in the second half, and Allan Ray and Curtis Sumpter finished a combined 2-for-22. Villanova also had 20 turnovers, 12 in the second half.

The Lobos (26-7) made a furious rally, pulling within 52-47 with 29 seconds left. But they couldn't overcome their dismal start. Danny Granger led New Mexico with 15 points and Mark Walters had 14 - all in the second half.

The victory was the 11th in the last 13 games for Villanova. New Mexico had a nine-game winning streak snapped.

Villanova looked as if it was on its way to another Kansas-like rout early, stifling the Lobos in the first half. Trapping and pressing with a fury, the Wildcats held New Mexico - one of the nation's better offensive teams - to 11 points on 18 percent shooting. Walters, Alfred Neale and Troy DeVries - all of whom average in double figures - were scoreless in the first 20 minutes as the Wildcats raced out to a 34-11 lead.

But the Lobos finally found their groove in the second half. After Foye made a pair of free throws to give Villanova a 42-23 lead with 8:45 left, New Mexico responded with a 10-0 run that got them within double figures for the first time since midway through the first half.

After Will Sheridan made a pair of free throws, Neale hit a 3-pointer to cut Villanova's lead to 44-36.

New Mexico coach Ritchie McKay watches during the first half.

Lowry was fouled by Walters with 1:44 left, but missed both shots. But Sumpter grabbed the rebound and Lowry was fouled again. This time he didn't miss. He went 4-for-4 from the line over the next 10 seconds, pushing Villanova's lead back to 52-42.

Another 3-pointer by Neale pulled New Mexico within 52-45, and Walters' followed with a pair of free throws with 29 seconds left to make it 52-47. But after Ray made a free throw, Lowry stole the ball on the inbounds to seal the victory.