By DAN GELSTON
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — AJ Brodeur scored 16 points as Penn beat No. 17 Villanova 78-75 on Tuesday night, the Quakers’ first win over the Wildcats since 2002.
Penn fans stormed the court after Villanova’s Phil Booth missed the tying 3-point attempt and set off a regular-season celebration not seen in Philly in years. And with good reason — the national champion Wildcats had won a city-record 25 straight games against Big 5 rivals Temple, Saint Joseph’s, La Salle and the Quakers.
“This reminds me of the glory days….it’s a special place and I’m just happy to be apart of it,” Penn coach Steve Donahue said.
Penn beats @NovaMBB for the first time since 2002. Great game. pic.twitter.com/BCO17I5MnI
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) December 12, 2018
Head coach Steve Donahue was reminded of the glory days after tonight’s 78-75 win over the defending national champions, “This reminds me of the glory days….it’s a special place and I’m just happy to be apart of it.” pic.twitter.com/8vXtEcjJKQ
— Penn Basketball (@PennBasketball) December 12, 2018
Penn’s student section started rocking the bleachers with minutes left, and the Quakers avoided a late scare and delivered the latest memorable moment at the Palestra.
Donahue, who led Cornell to the Sweet 16 in 2010, may have another blooming Ivy League power. Penn last beat Villanova at the Palestra on Dec. 5, 2001 and hadn’t beat them at all since Dec. 10, 2002.
The Wildcats hadn’t lost a city series game since Temple beat Nova 76-61 on Dec. 5, 2012.
Donahue slapped hands with fans that lingered on the court and fans tossed streamers and went wild as they topped champs.
Photo: Matt Slocum / AP
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