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Reynolds' strong second half lifts Villanova

Nov 24, 2007 - 4:56 AM ORLANDO, Florida (Ticker) -- Scottie Reynolds found his scoring touch in the second half.

Last season's Big East Conference Freshman of the Year rebounded from a poor first half to finish with 21 points as No. 19 Villanova defeated George Mason, 84-76, on Friday in the semifinals of the Old Spice Classic.

The Wildcats (4-0) advance to Sunday's championship game against North Carolina State (3-1), which edged South Carolina, 63-61, in the tournament's other semifinal contest on Friday.

Reynolds, who made only one field goal in the first half, finished 6-of-12 from the field and 6-of-8 from the free-throw line before fouling out.

"Coach always says, 'Shoot 'em up," Reynolds said. "If you're a great shooter, you're only going to make half of what you take. That's what I did today."

The sophomore scored 19 points Thursday, leading the Wildcats to a 76-68 victory over Central Florida.

"Scottie's a sophomore and plays like a senior," Villanova coach Jay Wright said. "Malcolm (Grant) is a freshman and plays like a junior. It's really a credit to these guys. I told them they're going to see at the end of the season this was a good win, when they see how good George Mason is at the end of the year."

Shane Clark and Grant each scored 13 points for Villanova.

Folarin Campbell led all scorers with 25 points for George Mason (4-1), which was bidding to oust its second ranked foe in as many days. On Thursday, Campbell scored 18 points as the Patriots defeated No. 20 Kansas State, 87-77.

Will Thomas and Dre Smith scored 15 points for George Mason.

George Mason thrust itself into the national spotlight in 2006 when it shockingly advanced to the Final Four, knocking off North Carolina, Connecticut and Michigan State along the way.