By Tim Kelly
The Anchorage Tavern in Somers Point was Main Line East on Monday night as displaced fans settled in to watch Villanova University win its second NCAA men’s basketball championship in three years.
“We don’t have that many locals here tonight,” a server said, “but we do have a lot of people from the Philly area. We are giving them a home away from home.”
After a shaky start that saw the Wildcats trail by seven points in the first half, super sub Donte DiVincenzo came off the bench to score 18 first half points on 9-for-10 shooting and give ‘Nova a nine point halftime lead.
Villanova’s three- point shots were not falling early, but when the Cats finally got their mojo going, it all came together in a big way.
It was a huge win for the team, the university and coach Jay Wright, who owns a beach house in Ocean City and is spotted around town frequently in the summer months.
DiVencenzo’s barrage, which essentially carried the team during that stretch, included three straight three-point buckets. He then scored nine straight points in the second half to spark the win. For his efforts, he was named Most Outstanding Player for the tournament.
DiVencenzo, nicknamed “The Big Ragu” for his Italian-American heritage and flaming red hair, finished with 31 points, five rebounds and three rebounds, shooting 10-for-15 shooting overall, including 5-for-7 from deep. His 31 points were the most ever in a championship game for a bench player.
The turnaround came much to the relief of the fans in attendance, and culminated in a 79-62 triumph.
“They are going to take it because they are the best team in the tournament,” said George Bittles, earlier in the evening. Bittles occupied a table near on the the widescreen TVs with his significant other Ady McGowan and David Van Dusen and wife Debbie.
Both couples hail from Villanova Pa., and were in town to help another friend prepare their summer home for the season in Ocean City.
“The last time they won, it was crazy and they had to shut down Lancaster Avenue (the main drag through Villanova’s Radnor Township campus.) We’re glad to be watching it here.”
The Van Dusens had more reason than geographic proximity to cheer on Villanova. Their son Jim is a former varsity soccer player for the Wildcats who now lives in North Carolina.
“We’re really excited,” Debbie said. “It’s a great school and we have a great team.”
Another group of six friends included several priests from the Archdiocese of Philadelpha. Perhaps because the drinks were flowing and the padres were wearing Nova gear and not collars, only first names were given.
“I have a quote for you: WOOOOOO!!!” howled one.
“They’re not just Nova. They are a supernova!” another bellowed.
Villanova (36-4) became just the fourth NCAA team to win all of its tournament games by double-digit margins. None of their four losses were by more than eight points.
The Schmidts, Ane and Frederick and daughter Heidi of Ocean City, said they were psyched for the game and never had any doubts about Villanova;s ultimate success.
“The Eagles did it, and now Villanova will be the next team to give us a parade,” Frederick correctly predicted.
His wife, wearing a New England Patriots hat said the couple was at odds for the Super Bowl, but were pulling for the same team on Monday.
“I have been a New England fan ever since Tom Brady’s first Super Bowl,” she said. “The Super Bowl was a little rough but tonight should be absolutely no problem.”
