Allen Ray cleared to practice

VILLANOVA, Pa., March 12 (UPI) -- Guard Allan Ray of Villanova Sunday has been cleared to resume non-contact basketball activities after seeing an eye specialist on Saturday.

The 6-foot-2 inch senior from The Bronx was poked in the left eye Friday night during a scramble for a loose ball with Carl Krauser of No. 16 Pittsburgh in the semifinals of the Big East Tournament. The Wildcats lost the contest, 68-54.

"On behalf of Allan, his family and our basketball family, I would like to thank everyone for the well-wishes and prayers Allan has received in the last 36 hours," said Villanova Coach Jay Wright. "Obviously Allan is very fortunate to have come through a potentially dangerous injury with these positive results."

Ray is scheduled to be examined again on Monday by an eye specialist with the hope of being fully cleared to play in the post-season. He is the team's second-leading scorer, averaging 18.8 points per game.