NCAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT : Southeast Regional at Cincinnati : Villanova Holds Off Arkansas Down Stretch

Villanova Coach Rollie Massimino noted with satisfaction that his Villanova team had made 25 of 31 free throws Friday in its 82-74 win over Arkansas in the first round of the National Collegiate Athletic Assn. Southeast Regional tournament at Riverfront Coliseum.

“That’s pretty good,” he said. “I’ll take that the rest of the way.”

Villanova was also accurate with its field goals, shooting 56.5% to Arkansas’ 40.6%.

Even so, the Razorbacks were threatening in the closing minutes, after forward Mark Plansky, the lone holdover from Villanova’s upstart national championship team of 1985, had fouled out with 3:36 remaining.

The Wildcats led, 73-65, at the time, but the Razorbacks kept whittling away at the lead. And, when center Andrew Lang made a short jump shot, Arkansas had reduced Villanova’s lead to 78-74 with 39 seconds remaining.

Villanova (22-12) then failed to inbound the ball in five seconds, and Arkansas (21-9) had another chance to get closer.

However, guard Cannon Whitby hurried a shot that was blocked by Villanova’s 7-foot 2-inch center, Tom Greis. Villanova came up with the ball and put the game away as Pat Enright, a walk-on guard, and point guard Kenny Wilson each made two free throws.

Villanova forward Doug West led all scorers with 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting.

“I thought West kept them alive,” said Arkansas Coach Nolan Richardson, referring to three straight baskets that West made late in the second half. “Those were big baskets and, to me, that was the turning point.”

Illinois 81, Texas San Antonio-72--The Roadrunners from San Antonio, making their first NCAA appearance, stayed with the Illini through most of the first half.

But Illinois (23-9) spurted into a 38-31 lead at halftime and was in control the entire second half.

Illinois, which has been constantly reminded of its 68-67 loss to Austin Peay in the first round of the Southeast Regional last year, has been rolling lately, winning eight of its last nine Big Ten games and losing only to conference champion Purdue.

The Roadrunners (22-9), with eight transfers from other schools, just couldn’t match Illinois’ depth and shooting ability. Illinois shot 57.1%, Texas San Antonio only 39.1%.

Illinois got a lift from reserve forward Lowell Hamilton, who made all seven of his shots in the first half and wound up hitting 10 of 12. He had 21 points.

Hamilton took a nasty fall near the end of the game and was motionless on the floor for a few minutes. But he got up and said later that he had suffered only a bruised left elbow.

So, it’s Illinois against Villanova in the second round here Sunday afternoon.

Kentucky 99, Southern 84--Ed Davender scored 30 points and Rex Chapman had 23 as the No. 6 Wildcats (26-5) advanced to a Sunday game against Maryland (18-12).

Maryland defeated UC Santa Barbara, 92-82.

Southern, champion of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, finished 24-7.

Kentucky led, 48-40, at halftime, but Southern came back to draw within 64-60 with 11:38 left on a basket by Rodney Washington. The Wildcats then followed with an 11-0 run, Davender leading the way with two inside shots.

Kevin Florent led Southern with 25 points.