Marathon Defeats Villanova in Exhibition Basketball Action

Malik Allen led Villanova with 20 points and 12 rebounds. (File Photo)

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Led by 23 points from Curt Smith, Marathon defeated Villanova, 87-71, on Nov. 1, 1997, in The Pavilion on the campus of Villanova University. The contest was the Wildcats' first exhibition game of the season.

The Wildcats were led by sophomore forward Malik Allen, who registered 20 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Allen, from Medford, N.J., shot eight-for-12 in the game and four-for-five from the free throw line. Senior Zeffy Penn contributed 15 points and six boards, while Brian Lynch added 13 points to round out the Wildcats' double-figure scorers.

The game was relatively close in the first half, with Marathon taking a 47-41 lead into the locker room at the intermission. Marathon opened the second period with a 12-2 run, however, and never looked back. The visitors led by as many as 22 points in the game.

Marathon boasted five double-figure scorers, with Mark Meredith posting 16 and former St. John's standout Charles Minlend adding 15. Kory Billups had 12 points and Willie Murdaugh 11. Marathon shot 54.5 percent in the contest, and 42.9 percent from behind the three-point arc. The Wildcats won the rebounding edge, 43-31.

Villanova plays its final exhibition contest of the season on Friday, Nov. 7, 1997, versus Around the World Stars, at 7:30 p.m. in The Pavilion.