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Strong second half helps Villanova smother Towson

Nov 29, 2008 - 6:34 AM PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Scottie Reynolds had 14 points, six rebounds and six assists as No. 20 Villanova used a strong second half to defeat Towson, 64-47, in the Philly Hoop Group Classic on Friday.

Dante Cunningham and Antonio Pena each recorded 12 points and seven rebounds for the Wildcats (5-0), who will play Rhode Island on Saturday.

Villanova led by as many as nine during the first half but failed to maintain any separation.

The Wildcats shot 47 percent (11-of-23) in the opening 20 minutes but only held a 33-28 lead at the break on Corey Fisher's 3-pointer just before the halftime buzzer.

The second half was a different story as Villanova went on a 13-2 run to open the half and take a 46-30 lead with 13:25 remaining.

Towson did not make a shot after the break until there was 11:57 left in the contest and Villanova built the lead up to 54-34 with 7:16 left to play.

The Tigers, who only made 6-of-14 from the free-throw line, could get no closer than 14 the rest of the way.

The Wildcats, who had a 39-27 rebounding advantage, held the Tigers to 28 percent (7-of-25) shooting over the game's final 20 minutes.

Reynolds, who came into the game shooting 30 percent from the field, was 5-of-9 from the floor and made a season-high three 3-pointers.

Junior Hairston scored 11 points to lead Towson (3-2), which shot 5-of-27 from the arc.