Nov 25, 2003
LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) - Curtis Sumpter made two free throws with 2.3 seconds to play in overtime to give Villanova a 53-51 victory over Santa Clara on Tuesday in the consolation round of the Maui Invitational.
The Wildcats (3-1), who lost to Division II Chaminade in the opening round, will play Ohio State for fifth place on Wednesday. Santa Clara will play Central Michigan, which dropped a physical 77-71 decision to Ohio State. The game will air live on the radio in the Bay Area on KSFB-AM (1220) as well as on the Internet at SantaClaraBroncos.com.
"Villanova made the shots when they counted, down the stretch," said SCU Head Coach Dick Davey. "They made the shots when they had to. We aren't playing with the confidence necessary to be successful right now. We were really unable to convert on some really good chances in crucial situations late in the game. I really expected more from our squad at this point. But, we need to keep our heads up and keep working since we have a tough matchup tomorrow against a talented Central Michigan team. In this tournament, there are absolutely no breathers."
Villanova, missing two starters with injuries while others are serving various suspensions from last season for misuse of a university telephone access code, used just six players. The Wildcats were playing their fourth game of the year, while Santa Clara was in just its second.
Randy Foye had 16 points for Villanova and Sumpter added 16. Five players saw at least 37 minutes for the Wildcats, including freshman Will Sheridan. He played the entire game, finishing with 3 points and nine rebounds.
Kyle Bailey had 12 points to lead Santa Clara (0-2). The Broncos return home Thursday night and will face Fresno State Saturday night at the Leavey Center.
The Broncos, who lost to Hawaii in the first round, had a 38-29 lead with 6:26 left in regulation but made just one field goal the rest of regulation.
Allan Ray hit a 3-pointer with 17 seconds left in regulation to bring Villanova to 47-45. After a Santa Clara turnover on an inbounds play, Foye made two free throws with 7.3 seconds left to tie it at 47.
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Freshman Michael Nardi scored on a drive with 3:26 left to put Villanova up 49-47, its first lead since 6-5.
Bailey's drive with 10 seconds left tied it at 51. Ray missed a 3-pointer with 4 seconds left and Sumpter was fouled as he grabbed the rebound.
Bailey had one last shot for Santa Clara, but he was off from just inside midcourt at the buzzer. The junior from Fairbanks, Alaska has made three such shots during his Santa Clara career but was unable to be the hero against Villanova.
Jordan Legge had 10 rebounds for Santa Clara, which finished with a 43-27 advantage on the boards.
Sumpter didn't play against Chaminade and won't play against Ohio State as he serves the last game of his suspension.