'NOVA CLOSES SPECTRUM WITH UPSET OF PITT

January 29, 2009


It was just what Jay Wright's Villanova squad needed last night. With over 17,000 fans packed into the Spectrum, the Wildcats gave the venue a Fond Farewell (phillyburbs.com) as Villanova Beats Pitt for a Signature Win (Philadelphia Inquirer), something that had alluded the No. 21 ranked team to this point.

It was only fitting that in the final basketball game scheduled at the Spectrum, one of Philly's own led the way as Reggie Redding scored a career-high 18 points as Redding Helps Upset Pitt (Times-Herald), 67-57. Dante Cunningham added 15 points for the winners.

The win provided a Nice Parting Gift for the Spectrum (Philly Daily News) and 'Nova improved to 4-3 in the Big East and 16-4 overall on the season.

Pittsburgh, who has played five of their first eight conference games on the road, fell to 6-2 in the Big East and are now 18-2 overall. Poor Shooting and Foul Troubles Doomed Pitt (Tribune-Review) in this one, much like it did in their previous loss to Louisville.

DeJuan Blair was limited to just 20 minutes because of fouls and fellow frontcourt starter Tyrell Biggs played just 17. Pitt led 19-9 with 8:35 left in the 1st half and seemed to be in complete control when Blair picked up his second foul and sat the rest of the half. 'Nova jumped back into the game with a 17-6 run over 6 minutes before a quick six points by Gilbert Brown before halftime allowed Pitt to take a 31-26 lead at the half.

The fouls continued for Pitt in the second half as Biggs and Blair both picked up their third just minutes into the half and Villanova started to take control of the game and once Blair picked up his fourth, a 7-0 'Nova run gave them a 55-48 lead as the game headed to the stretch, where VU iced it from the foul line.

Sam Young led Pitt with 14 points and 9 rebounds and Philly native Brad Wanamaker added 13, before eventually fouling out. The Panthers turned the ball over 17 times.

With Blair on the bench, the Panthers energy seemed to dwindle as the game went along and the Spectrum crowd kept Villanova attacking in the second half and helped pull out the win.