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COL BKB: Villanova 58, Monmouth 45

PHILADELPHIA, March 17 (UPI) -- Allan Ray scored 19 points Friday as Villanova overcame stubborn Monmouth, 58-45, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Philadelphia.

The game was part of the Minneapolis Bracket.

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Ray was returning from a serious injury suffered last week in the Big East Tournament. He was 5-for-12 on three-point shots, on a day when the top-seeded Wildcats overcame bad shooting by forcing 18 turnovers and out-rebounding Monmouth, 38-25.

Randy Foye had 17 points and nine rebounds; and Philadelphia native Kyle Lowry added nine points, two rebounds and two steals as the Wildcats improved to 26-4.

Dejan Delic had 17 points, three assists and six rebounds; and Tyler Azzarelli had 11 points, five rebounds and five assists for the 16th-seeded Hawks, who closed at 19-15.

Villanova will play eighth-seeded Arizona in the second round on Sunday.

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