Villanova University

Jan. 28, 1998

Villanova Trounces Notre Dame on the Road

Brian Lynch leads the 'Cats to victory. (file photo)

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) - Brian Lynch led five Villanova players in double figures with 16 points as the Wildcats beat Notre Dame 81-61 Wednesday night.

Villanova (8-10, 5-5 Big East) scored the game's first 11 points and later ran off a 16-3 run to build a 33-11 lead with 12 minutes to go in the first half. Howard Brown sparked the run with six of his 10 points on two straight 3-pointers.

John Celestand scored 15 points for the Wildcats, who shot 56 percent (32-of-57) for the game. Malik Allen and Rafal Bigus each added 10.

The Wildcats hit 12-of-22 3-pointers, holding off two Notre Dame (10-7, 4-5) second half rallies when the Irish twice cut the lead to 13 points.

Celestand hit all three of his 3-point attempts and Jermaine Medley connected on three more for all of his nine points.

Notre Dame shot just 36 percent (22-of-61) from the field.

Pat Garrity, last year's Big East player of the year, was double-teamed throughout. He hit just 4-of-13 shots and 6-of-10 from the free throws for 14 points.

Keith Friel scored 14 points and Martin Ingelsby added 10. No other Notre Dame player hit double figures.