Villanova women top Drexel in Wildcat Holiday Classic

Heather Scanlon hit a three-pointer with 53 seconds remaining to break a tie and help Villanova earn a 60-55 comeback victory over Drexel in the championship game of the Wildcat Holiday Classic at the Pavilion last night.

Laura Sweeney scored 16 points and Scanlon added 15 to leads the Wildcats (11-2), who captured the title for the eighth time in 17 tournaments, although it hadn't been played since the 2002-03 season.

Gabriela Marginean had 22 points and Kamile Nacickaite 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Dragons (6-5), who led by as much as 12 in the first half.

Loyola (Md.) eased past San Francisco, 60-51, in the consolation game.

In other women's games:

* Saint Joseph's used a 13-0 run over a 4-minute span covering both halves to fend off Boston University, 71-58, for the championship of the Hawk Classic at Hagan Arena.

Ashley Prim had 18 points, 11 rebounds and four assists as SJU (6-7), claimed its seventh title in the tournament's 19-year history.

Amy Gillespie (four steals) and Brittany Ford each added 11 points for the Hawks.

Chantell Alford scored 20 points for BU (4-7).

South Carolina rolled over Brown, 73-46, in the consolation.

* At West Long Branch, N.J., Jamie Walsh had 15 points and five assists and Antonia Gale added 14 points as La Salle topped Holy Cross, 65-51, in the first round of Hawk Holiday Classic. The Explorers (4-8) will face host Monmouth (4-6) in today's championship game.

* At Penn, Mary Dunn (11 rebounds) and Hassanah Oliver each scored 11 points to lead Mount St. Mary's (4-6) to a 60-48 victory over Penn. Caitlin Slover scored 16 points to lead the Quakers (0-9).