Villanova Loses in Final Second as Thomas Trips Into Webber-Site
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While the decisive points were scored as a result of a fluky play, Miami’s upset victory over No. 8 Villanova on Saturday was no fluke.
Kevin Norris made two free throws with less than a second left after Villanova’s Tim Thomas called an improper timeout, giving Miami a 61-59 Big East victory that ended the Wildcats’ 23-game winning streak at duPont Pavilion in Philadelphia.
Thomas was falling out of bounds with the ball under the Villanova basket when he signaled for the timeout with eight-tenths of a second remaining.
Because Villanova, 12-3 overall and 3-2 in conference, was out of timeouts, a technical was called and Miami was awarded two free throws that Norris converted, allowing Hurricanes to end a Big East team’s long home streak victory for the second time in a week. On Jan. 4, Miami ended Georgetown’s home-court streak at 24.
Thomas’ mistake was reminiscent of Chris Webber’s blunder in the 1993 NCAA championship game. Webber called a timeout Michigan didn’t have in the closing seconds, and North Carolina made two free throws to clinch the title.
“It was just one of those reactions,” Thomas said. “All I was trying to do was my best.”
Miami (9-5, 3-3) outrebounded taller Villanova, 44-37, and played tough defense on the perimeter as Wildcat guards made only eight of 28 shots.
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