’Nova men, women headed to NCAA cross country meet

Villanova placed five runners in the top 13 stops to win the NCAA Division I Mid-Atlantic Regional at Lehigh University Friday and qualify for the NCAA championships Nov. 23 in Terre Haute, Ind. as a team.

Sophomore Josh Phillips placed third, freshman Haftu Strintzos was fourth, Nathan Rodriguez placed seventh and seniors Andrew Marston and Casey Comber were 10th and 13th, respectively, to lead the Wildcats to a 37-67 victory over Georgetown in the team competition.

It’s the sixth time the Wildcats have won the regional title since 2000 and the first since 2014, and the second straight year Villanova has qualified for the NCAA championships as a team.

Women’s Cross Country

The Villanova men won’t be going to Indiana alone.

Sophomore Lydia Olivere took home the individual title and the Wildcats finished second as a team at the Mid-Atlantic Regional to qualify for the NCAA championships as a group.

Olivere won in 20:02 to become the third straight runner from Villanova to win the individual title. In all seven Wildcats have won the regional championship since 2000, Frances Koons did it twice (2006 and 2008) and Sheila Reid won three consecutive regional titles from 2009-11.

Maggie Smith finished third and Ann Campbell fourth, but Penn State edged Villanova for the team title, 73-77. Brynne Sumner (32nd) and Nikki Merrill (37th) rounded out the top five scorers for the Wildcats.

In other women’s action, Strath Haven AllDelco Grace Forbes became just the second freshman in Rice history to qualify for the NCAA championships.

Forbes finished sixth in the South Central regional championship in Fayetteville, Ark. Forbes qualified by taking the first individual spot not occupied the top two qualifying teams (Arkansas and Texas). She finished in 20:48, joining Marissa Daniels (2004) as the only Rice freshman to qualify for nationals. The Owls finished fifth in the team competition.

Women’s Basketball

The Jacob twins, Amy and Claire, combined for 32 points to lead La Salle to a 7569 victory over Harvard Friday night. Amy Jacobs shot 6-for-9 overall and

4-for-6 from 3-point range to lead the Explorers with 17 points. Claire Jacobs added 15 points in 22 minutes to help La Salle avenge a 40-point loss to the Crimson last season. Deja King hit 9 of 10 free throws and pitched in with 11 points.

MARYMOUNT (VA.) 41, HAVERFORD 33 >> The Saints held the Fords to 11 points in the second half to take the opener in the Pablo Coto Tip-Off tournament.

Julianna Clark paced Haverford with

11 points and four rebounds. Hannah Zoll chipped in with eight points.

VASSAR 72, EASTERN 48 >> The Eagles fell behind 35-21 at halftime and never recovered in the opening round of The Hochberg Family Tip-Off tournament at Vassar.

Da’Naziah Brown had 14 points, Minika Glenn 12 and Jaelyn Harris 10 for the Eagles, who take on the loser of the SUNY OneontaWorcester State game for third place Saturday at 1 p.m.

Men’s Basketball

Williamson let one get away Friday night. Penn State Wilkes-Barre scored 15 of the last 17 points, including the final six to rally for a 59-53 victory over the Mechanics in the opening round of the Scranton Tip-Off Tournament.

Williamson had a 51-44 lead with 8:30 to play before the Lions took control. Wilkes-Barre went on a 7-0 run to tie the game and then took the lead for good, 55-53, on a jumper by Khalil White with 2:34 to play in the game.

Vontagoe Donzo led Williamson with 22 points and 14 rebounds. John Mastella added 12 points.