New Mexico's Comeback Rally Against Villanova Falls Short, 55-47

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.