Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Villanova survives St. John’s upset bid, advances to Big East tournament semifinals
By HENRY EISENBERGNEW YORK — Villanova survived and advanced against St. John’s in the Big East Tournament quarterfinals Thursday night at Madison Square Garden.
Brandon Slater hit two foul shots in the final seconds after being fouled under the basket by Julian Champagnie and the Wildcats won 66-65 to advance to a semifinal showdown with the UConn-Seton Hall winner.
“We work on free throws every day in practice,” Slater said. “So when I step to the line my teammates and coaches, they were telling me, we do this every single day. They gave me that confidence and I was able to knock it down.”
St. John’s came into the game having dismantled No. 10 DePaul, 92-73, on Wednesday. Against Villanova (24-7), they roared out to a 30-23 halftime lead and led by as many as 17, 44-27.
In the end, Big East Player of the Year Collin Gillespie and the Wildcats were too much for St. John’s to handle. Gillespie finished with 14 points, six rebounds and three assists.
Caleb Daniels tallied 19 points and Justin Moore 15.
“They were really good. And we just toughed it out,” Villanova coach Jay Wright said.
“And upperclassmen down the stretch, Collin making some big plays. Slate was great. And Caleb hit some big shots. And just proud of these guys.”
Champagnie finished with a game-high 23 points and nine rebounds and St. John’s (17-15) now awaits an NIT bid.
“A lot of credit to St. John’s,”Wright said. “I mean, it’s no surprise to us. We weren’t disappointed in our play at all. If you watched them last night, watched them the last couple of games, they’re playing great basketball. It’s a credit to Mike [Anderson] to get his team playing the way they are.”
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