COL BKB: St. John's 81, Villanova 68

VILLANOVA, Pa., Feb. 26 (UPI) -- Dwight Hardy struck for 34 points and No. 25 St. John's beat a ranked foe for the sixth time this season with an 81-68 triumph over No. 14 Villanova.

Hardy's performance was a career high and D.J. Kennedy added 12 points and 14 rebounds for the Red Storm (19-9, 11-5 Big East), who tied Texas for the most wins over ranked teams.

Paris Horne contributed 12 points and five rebounds and Justin Brownlee chipped in with 11 points and eight boards as St. John's beat Villanova for the first time since February 2003.

The Wildcats (21-8, 9-7), meanwhile, lost for the fourth time in six games.

Corey Stokes scored 20 points and Maalik Wayns donated 19 and five assists for Villanova.