COL BKB: Villanova 81, St. John's 71

NEW YORK, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Scottie Reynolds and Corey Fisher combined for 37 points Saturday, keying No. 4 Villanova's 81-71 Big East win over St. John's.

Reynolds finished with 19 points and Fisher 18 as the Wildcats (18-1, 7-0) used a 12-0 run 6 minutes into the second half to take control. Maalik Wayns added 16 points as Villanova won its ninth straight since its only loss back in mid-December at Temple.

St. John's (12-7, 2-5) was led by Dwight Hardy's 19 points. Sean Evans had 12 points and nine rebounds for the Red Storm. But the Red Storm's leading scorer, D.J. Kennedy with a 15.6 average, had only 10 points on 2-of-12 shooting.

St. John's had led 38-37 at halftime after trailing 14-5 in the early going.