'Cats Can't Hold On Down the Stretch, Fall @ #22 Notre Dame, 66-63

by Craig Dimitri
E-mail: novaviewpoint@yahoo.com

The Wildcats could have virtually secured a bid in the NCAA tournament with a sweep of #22 Notre Dame, over the course of the past 10 days. Unfortunately, Villanova went cold after building a 60-57 lead down the stretch, allowing a 9-0 Fighting Irish run and falling 66-63. ND tried very hard to give away the game after leading 66-60 in the final minute, committing three fouls and turning over the ball in the backcourt. These mistakes permitted Curtis Sumpter a perfectly clean look at the top of the key in the final seconds, trailing just 66-63 - but it didn't go down, and ND escaped with a split of the season series.

A more detailed recap will come shortly.

Villanova returns to action on Monday, January 29, at the Wachovia Center, taking on #9 Pittsburgh.

Questions? Comments? Information? You can contact Craig Dimitri at novaviewpoint@yahoo.com.