Posted on 03/25/2005 10:42:29 PM PST by Perdogg
Top-seeded North Carolina narrowly slips past Villanova
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- North Carolina won without Raymond Felton -- barely.
After the star point guard fouled out, the top-seeded Tar Heels did just enough down the stretch to hold off Villanova 67-66 Friday night, advancing to the regional finals for the first time since 2000.
The Wildcats missed a chance to tie it in the final seconds when Allan Ray was called for traveling on a drive. He made the shot as he was slapped across the arm, but referee Tom O'Neill already had blown his whistle for the violation.
Villanova (24-8) was forced to foul, and Rashad McCants made a free throw with 7.6 seconds left to increase the Tar Heels' margin to four. Kyle Lowry rattled in a 3-pointer about five seconds later to bring the Wildcats to 67-66, and he chased down Sean May's errant inbounds pass just before the buzzer.
But his desperation heave was wide, letting North Carolina (30-4) move on to play Wisconsin in the final of the Syracuse Regional. The Badgers beat North Carolina State 65-56 earlier Friday.
Debris was thrown on the court from the stands after the frantic finish, but order quickly was restored.
McCants had 15 of his 17 points in the second half and Marvin Williams scored 16 for the Tar Heels. Felton finished with 11 points, 11 rebounds and five assists before fouling out for the first time this season.
Thanks for the pics.
Any time!;)
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