Temple, Villanova also Big 5 winners

The Penn-Saint Joseph's matchup aside, attendees of the Big 5 Classic enjoyed two other taut contests that weren't settled until the final minutes.

Temple used a sudden 11-point burst in the last three minutes to edge a plucky, undersized Drexel team, 57-48, who fell for the third time in four games.

Senior David Hawkins was the linchpin for the Cherry and White (1-3, 0-1 Big 5). He played the entire game for coach John Chaney, scoring 26 points and grabbing seven rebounds. He shot 14-for-15 from the line, helping to seal the victory down the stretch.

"I think they had a great game plan," Chaney said. "They knew that David was the guy they were going to have to stop and he's a tough sucker, believe me.

"He's hard-nosed. He's mean, just like me."

Drexel's inaccuracy from long range helped seal its fate -- the Dragons (1-3) made a paltry 7 of 28 attempts from beyond the arc.

"We had our opportunities," Drexel coach James "Bruiser" Flint said. "I've been playing and coaching against the Temple zone forever, and we got some of the best looks I've ever seen against it."

A thundering dunk by Temple sophomore Antywane Robinson opened a 53-43 advantage, putting an exclamation point on Temple's first win of the season -- and its first-ever win in the newly-restored Big 5 Classic.

That elusive first victory captured, the mood was relaxed in the Temple camp.

"We still have a lot a work to do," Hawkins said. "But it's good to finally get a win."

When the senior captain was asked about his team's 17 turnovers -- a highly uncharacteristic total for a team that led the nation in fewest turnovers in 2002-03 -- Chaney interrupted, "tell him it was the referee's fault."

"It was the referee's fault," Hawkins deadpanned.

Villanova moved halfway to the city series title by besting La Salle in the nightcap, 74-61. In winning, Jay Wright's Wildcats (4-2, 2-0 Big 5) overcame an inspiring performance by last year's Big 5 and Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year.

Sophomore Gary Neal didn't start for La Salle (1-5, 0-1 Big 5) in the nightcap -- he's still recovering from a bruised knee that has limited his playing time in the last two games -- but he sure did finish.

Neal entered the game with 16:15 remaining in the first half. By the break, he'd pour in 16 points.

Philadelphia native Steven Smith did the dirty work all night underneath for La Salle, fighting hard for position and scoring off of offensive rebounds.

The Explorers used a 14-point run before halftime to erase a burgeoning Villanova lead. La Salle coach Billy Hahn's side led at the break, 33-29.

As the two teams traded leads in the second half, Neal and Villanova guard Randy Foye engaged in an entertaining display of one-upmanship.

Neal and Foye traded baskets as their teams traded leads during one exciting stretch. Foye scored 17 of his 19 points in the second half.

But the Wildcats ultimately used a 19-7 run over the final 7:42 to ensure a victory.

"Gary Neal was unbelievable," Wright said. "I really don't think we were that bad defensively. I just think a couple of those shots he hit were just outside of our coverage range -- we just don't cover that far out."

Villanova guard Allen Ray, daring a La Salle defender, pulled up for a three-pointer that put the Wildcats ahead, 66-56. Villanova's endgame was sound, as it secured its second Big 5 win of the season.

"That's the best team we've played so far this year," Wright said. "I just think it was a good, gutsy game for our guys."

Hahn was disgruntled with his team's cold shooting.

"They made shots the last seven-and-a-half minutes of the game and we didn't," Hahn said. "That's the difference."

"I thought our effort was good enough to compete and win the game," Hahn added. "But you've got to put the ball in the basket."

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