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Reynolds' Mad Dash Wins It For Villanova

The Associated Press

Villanova guard Scottie Reynolds cuts down the net after after defeating Pittsburgh to advance to the Final Four.

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By JIMMY GOLEN

The Associated Press

Published: March 28, 2009

BOSTON - It was physical. It was defensive. It was just the way they like it in the Big East.

With bodies clogging the lane and 3-pointers clanging off the rim, Scottie Reynolds made a half-court dash for a last-second basket to give Villanova a 78-76 victory over Pittsburgh and send the Wildcats to their first Final Four since the 1985 team made its stunning run to the NCAA championship.

"That was kind of the greatest year in the Big East history, and we've had discussions whether that year was better than this year," said Villanova coach Jay Wright, whose third-seeded Wildcats are the lowest remaining seed - just like they were in '85. "It's all kind of happening the same. ... If history repeats itself, I'll take it."

Reynolds scored with 0.5 seconds left to help the Wildcats (30-7) beat one conference rival and join another on its way to Detroit. Connecticut advanced to the national semifinals earlier; Louisville could make it three from the Big East with a victory today.

The only other time a single league sent three teams to the Final Four: 1985, when Patrick Ewing's Georgetown beat St. John's in the semis before losing to Villanova in an epic title game. Rollie Massimino's Wildcats were a No. 8 seed - the lowest to win it all.

"I'm really happy - for Villanova, for the players. It's just tremendous," the old coach said after Wright came to his courtside seat for a congratulatory hug. "I told him I'm so proud of him. ... I knew him when he was a baby. Now he's a superstar."

Pittsburgh (31-5) is the first No. 1 seed to leave the brackets this year despite 28 points from Sam Young and 20 points and 10 rebounds from DeJuan Blair. Villanova responded to the physical play by sinking 22 of 23 free throws, including five of six in the last 46 seconds.

Dwayne Anderson had 17 points, and Reynolds had 15 to earn region most outstanding player honors.

The teams pushed and shoved their way through the first 35 minutes before they started making baskets and making plays. The lead changed 15 times - six times in the last six minutes, before Pittsburgh's Levance Fields hit a pair of free throws with 5.5 seconds left to tie it at 76.

Reggie Redding got it to Dante Cunningham this time, and he dished it to Reynolds. The Villanova guard worked his way into the lane for a falling-down floater in traffic.

The clock expired, and the Wildcats celebrated. But the officials immediately moved to put a half-second back on the clock.

Fields took the inbounds pass and launched a 65-footer that hit the backboard but then bounced harmlessly to the floor.

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