March 18, 2003

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By JOEL STASHENKO

Associated Press Writer

ALBANY, N.Y. - Siena wore down undermanned Villanova with 3-point shooting by Austin Andrews and Tommy Mitchell and pressure defenses to defeat the Wildcats 74-59 in the first round of the NIT Tuesday night.

Siena (20-10) advances to play the winner of a first-round game Wednesday between Illinois-Chicago and Western Michigan.

Again having only seven players available because of suspensions, Villanova led by as many as 10 points in the first half and was still even at 42-42 with 12:15 to play.

But Andrews hit a 3-pointer, Mitchell two free throws and Andrews another 3-pointer to put Siena up 50-42. After a free throw by Curtis Sumpter, Siena's Prosper Karangwa hit another 3-pointer to put the Saints ahead by 10 with 8:59 to play.

Villanova never seriously threatened the rest of the way.

Siena, only 2-13 in the first half on 3-pointers, was 8-10 in the second half on long-range shots. Mitchell, who had five 3-point goals for the game, led Siena with 23 points while Michael Haddix scored 14 points.

Sumpter had 23 for Villanova.

Villanova (15-16) ended a disappointing season that started with NCAA tournament hopes thanks to a strong incoming freshman class. The season turned especially sour on March 8, when 12 Wildcat players were suspended on a staggered basis from three to eight games for unauthorized use of a telephone access code.

Villanova almost pulled off miracle wins in its regular season finale against Pitt (56-54) and Georgetown (46-41) in the opening game of the Big East tournament. But the Wildcats had less success at controlling the tempo against Siena of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

Villanova's iron-man five of Sumpter, Randy Foye, Marcus Austin, Allan Ray and Derrick Snowden again played all but a handful of minutes for Villanova.

Siena opened a 14-5 lead early, but Villanova came back with a 23-4 run to take its biggest lead of the game at 28-18. The Wildcats led at halftime 28-22, but Siena immediately quickened the pace in the second half with pressing defenses.