"This guy on my left is the one who made it happen," 'Nova coach Steve Lappas said, nodding toward Kittles. "After he was trapped, he did a good job of looking for the open man."
Later, Lappas pointed out that Kittles had been wheezing since Sunday. Normally, a 20-point game requires no further explanation.
But Kittles was averaging 21, and his primary opponent, Syracuse guard Lawrence Moten, had scored 36.
Moten tried valiantly to squeeze the life out of Villanova's longest winning streak in 12 years. He shot 15 of 27 from the floor, his jumper a model of precision.
But as his coach said, "he got no help." Jim Boeheim, in a peevish mood, accused his other players of sleeping through the first half.
Villanova (18-5, 11-2 conference) had a pile of debts to settle with Syracuse (17-5, 10-3), the one Big East team that had not succumbed to Lappas' revitalized program in the last two seasons.
The Wildcats thought they had the Orangemen beaten at the Carrier Dome five weeks ago, but lost by a point when they missed free throws and Moten sank an implausible three-pointer after shooting stray missiles the entire game.
Last night, Villanova's lead swelled to double figures early, without a point from Kittles.
He didn't score until only 3:53 remained in the half, following up a steal with a jumper. He had 6 points at halftime, including a dunk with five seconds left.
The lead peaked at 16, and the Wildcats were up by 10 points, 45-35, at intermission. The margin would have been 13, but Lazarus Sims made a controversial midcourt jumper at halftime - literally at halftime, because it happened after the buzzer. Lappas protested vigorously, to no avail.
A 9-0 Syracuse run at the start of the second half turned the game into a drama. Moten led the way, and briefly got some help from his frontcourt.
