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Thursday, November 23, 2000

Associated Press
Arizona's Justin Wessel, right, makes a pass in front of
Illinois forward Damir Krupalija during last night's
Maui Invitational championship game.

No. 1 Arizona:
No. 1 on Maui

The Wildcats slip past Illinois
to win Maui Invitational title

---

By Jim O'Connell
Associated Press

LAHAINA -- Top-ranked Arizona made the trip to Maui without preseason All-America Loren Woods. The Wildcats will go back across the Pacific Ocean with a championship trophy.

Although last night's 79-76 victory over No. 8 Illinois wasn't settled until two impressive defensive plays in the final seconds, Arizona finally won the Maui Invitational after losing in two previous title game appearances.

The Wildcats (3-0) prevailed despite not having Woods, their 7-foot-1 senior center, and by losing all but one point of a 15-point lead with 3 minutes to play.

"The last two minutes is when they started going," said Arizona guard Jason Gardner, who finished with 25 points, including two free throws with 11 seconds to play. "We caught fire in the beginning of the second half and they caught it at the end."

Frank Williams scored eight of 27 points in the final minute as the Fighting Illini got within 77-76 with 15 seconds to play.

Dayton 77, No. 6 Maryland 71:

Tony Stanley, who found out late Tuesday night that his mother had passed away, scored 21 points for the Flyers (2-1).

"I didn't think it was too difficult to play. If anything, my mom would have wanted me to play hard for her," he said. "My family wanted me to play. I was here anyway so I should have taken care of business."

Karen Stanley died Tuesday in Philadelphia of pneumonia.

"Tony Stanley inspired us playing with a heavy heart," Dayton coach Oliver Purnell said. "This one was for him."

Lonny Baxter led the Terrapins (1-2) with 20 points.

No. 12 UConn 83, Louisville 71:

Freshman swingman Caron Butler had an impressive debut for the Huskies (3-1) with 20 points. He missed the first three games of the season for an NCAA violation and his first college shot was a 3-pointer that he drilled. He followed that with an impressive dunk.

Albert Mouring had 23 points for Connecticut.

Marques Maybin had 25 points to lead Louisville (2-2).

UNLV 90, Chaminade 78:

Kaspars Kambala had 29 points and 15 rebounds as the Runnin' Rebels beat the Silverswords.

Kambala, a 6-foot-9 senior center, scored 80 points in the three games in the tournament, including a career-high 37 in the 86-85 consolation overtime loss to Louisville.