Feb. 28, 1998

Stats

VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) - Brian Lynch scored a career-high 25 points to lead Villanova over Rutgers 91-77 on Saturday.

The Wildcats (11-16, 8-10 Big East) led 71-60 with 7:17 remaining, but the Scarlet Knights went on an 11-2 run over the next three minutes.

Villanova responded by scoring the next nine points to lead 82-71 with 2:16 remaining. Geoff Billet then hit a 3-pointer and a foul shot to cut it to 82-75.

Rutgers (12-14, 6-12) got no closer.

Billet led Rutgers with 22 points and six assists. Eric Clark had 18 points and Alvydas Tenys 15.

For Villanova, Zeffy Penn had 19 points and 13 rebounds. John Celestand added 18 points and seven assists.

Rutgers led only once, at 33-32. Billet's 3-pointer at the buzzer made the halftime margin 43-37.