Late Villanova Rally Ends Men's Basketball's Upset Effort

Feb. 4, 2006

VILLANOVA (AP) - Villanova guard Allan Ray scored 28 points, including the go-ahead three-pointer with 1:54 left, to help No. 4 Villanova rally late for a 72-67 victory over Marquette on Saturday.

The Wildcats (17-2, 8-1 BIG EAST) are off to their best start in conference history and needed one impressive comeback to reach that feat. Down seven points with 3:30 left in the game, Villanova went on a 12-0 run -- highlighted by Ray's three -- that left Marquette (16-7, 6-4) simply stunned over a game it nearly won.

Villanova shot 32 percent, committed 14 turnovers and seemingly had no answer for senior forward Steve Novak who thwarted nearly every Wildcats' rally with a three-pointer.

Just not at the end when the Wildcats reverted to their normal form.

After free throws pulled Villanova within four, Ray picked off a pass in the backcourt and converted the easy basket that made it 63-61. Then after another Golden Eagles turnover -- one of 22 -- Ray hit his fourth three-pointer from the right side for a 64-63 lead that send the sellout crowd into a frenzy.

Villanova stretched the lead to 68-63 but freshman Dominic James scored for Marquette and Jerel McNeal scooped a loose ball off a sloppy inbounds play and made a layup that pulled the Golden Eagles within 68-67 with 30 seconds left.

Novak was off on a potential-tying three-pointer and the Wildcats made their free throws down the stretch to win their sixth straight game.

Randy Foye added 24 points for the Wildcats.

Novak had 18 points, James scored 15 and McNeal 14 for the Golden Eagles, who lost for the second time in three games as they try and make a strong push down the stretch to solidify their NCAA tournament chances.

Guard Kyle Lowry did not start for disciplinary reasons, and 6-foot-9 forward Dante Cunningham took his spot to give the Wildcats a more traditional three-guard lineup.

Marquette played some inspired basketball in the first 37 minutes and nearly pulled off its second upset over a Top 10 Big East team this season. The Golden Eagles beat Connecticut, the nation's current top ranked team, to open the conference season.

After a pretty quiet first half, Novak started hitting 3s to thwart Villanova runs. When the Wildcats sliced the gap to three, Novak hit one to make it 41-35. He sank another that gave Marquette a 10-point lead, then one more from the top of the 3-point arc for a 55-50 lead.

The Golden Eagles got the lead to nine but Ray and a suddenly scrappy defense took over.

Marquette returns to action on Sunday, February 12, visiting Rutgers to conclude the short two-game road trip.