Fanart » d The team also recently brought in Steve Vallos, a six

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Western Michigan coach Steve Hawkins watched his team slice a double-digit lead to three points against defending national champion Villanova. Then the third-ranked Wildcats showed once more theyre built to handle tough games.They did what they do, Hawkins said.Villanova used a 13-4 run down the stretch for a 76-65 win over the Broncos (1-2) on Thursday to start the Charleston Classic. Western Michigan had cut a 14-point second-half lead to 59-56 to draw within striking distances of the Wildcats.Thats when Eric Paschall, Kris Jenkins and Josh Hart all hit 3-pointers to keep Villanova undefeated and off to its fourth straight 3-0 start.Paschall finished with 17 points, and Jalen Brunson and Hart had 14 each. Jenkins, whos shot at the end gave the Wildcats their national title last April, had 11.It was a good, tough game, Wildcats coach Jay Wright said. It wasnt pretty, though and weve still got to get a lot better.Villanova improved to 12-0 in early season tournaments over the years. The Wildcats are chasing their third consecutive crown after winning the Legends Classic in 2014 and NIT season tipoff last year.Jalen Brunson said the Wildcats, who toughed out a 79-76 win at No. 15 Purdue on Monday night, didnt panic at Western Michigans charge. Weve got veterans and its a situation weve seen before, he said.The Wildcats will face Wake Forest, a 103-81 winner over UTEP, on Friday for a spot in Sundays championship.The Broncos (1-2) fell to 0-4 at the eight-team Charleston tournament. They lost all three games when they last visited in the 2008-09 season. Thomas Wilder led Western Michigan with 19 points.BIG PICTUREWestern Michigan lost its second straight after falling to Oakland on Monday. The Broncos forced too many long shots, finishing 3 of 15 from behind the arc. They were much more effective driving deep into Villanovas defense. Wilders five baskets came from around the rim.Villanova came off a 79-76 win at No. 15 Purdue, and its sluggish performance made this much closer than it should have been. Jenkins picked up two early fouls and played only 21 minutes in his return to South Carolina, having spent part of his childhood in Columbia.DEFENSIVE IMPROVEMENTWright said his team must pick up its defensive pressure if it hopes to succeed this year. The Wildcats lost two big defenders in forward Daniel Ochefu and guard Ryan Arcidiacono. Wright said Arcidiacono called out defensive changes, a job thats fallen to Brunson this season. We have the ability, Brunson said. We just have to get better.WESTERN SWAGHawkins said his team will consider its strong showing against Villanova whenever theyre facing adversity this season. He said the players came here to win, but also understand they made improvements that will help them later. Its something well have in our holster, he said.STANDING STRONGPaschall, Villanovas 6-foot-7 sophomore, is guarding taller players this season because of the Wildcats lack of size in their rotation. Of the eight players with 15 or more minutes, only 6-9 senior Darryl Reynolds was taller than Paschall. The sophomore says it is a difficult challenge that hes becoming more accustomed to each time out. Ive just got to keep my mind clear and concentrate on what I have to do, he said.UP NEXTWestern Michigan: Plays UTEP on Friday.Villanova: Plays Wake Forest on Friday.---More AP college basketball: www.collegebasketball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 Football Jerseys Sale . Tuesdays surgery at Atlantas Piedmont Hospital was performed by Dr. Xavier Duralde and Hawks team physician Dr. Michael Bernot. Cheap Football Jerseys China . Brandon Morrow allowed five runs on six hits over three innings. He struck out two, walked one and hit a batter. Edwin Encarnacion had a two-out, bases loaded two-RBI double in the third inning. http://www.cheapfootballjerseys.us.org/ . 10 VCU 85-67 on Thursday night at the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. The Seminoles (4-0) have scored at least 80 points in each of their games. Wholesale Football Jerseys Online . -- Jimmie Johnson held off a teammate, passed a pair of Hall of Famers, and dominated once more at Dover. Football Jerseys China . Philadelphia is 2-0 against the Senators this season and scored five goals in each victory. The Flyers recorded a 5-0 win in Ottawa on Nov. 12 and then earned a 5-2 home decision on Nov. 19. The Flyers have claimed three straight and four of the last five encounters with the Sens overall and Philly has won two in a row and three of its past four tests in Canadas capital city.ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Ryan Lilja will step out of retirement to reunite with Peyton Manning. The veteran offensive lineman agreed to terms Wednesday with the Denver Broncos, who are desperate for a starting centre following a season ending knee injury to Dan Koppen. Lilja, who turns 32 in October, has quite a bit of familiarity with Manning after playing guard for six seasons in Indianapolis. And while Jeff Saturday was Mannings customary centre with the Colts, hes now working as an ESPN analyst. The 6-foot-2, 290-pound Lilja made a similar switch last season as he went from guard to centre for Kansas City. After the season, he announced his intention to retire. But his retirement didnt last all that long. Koppen tore his left ACL in a drill last weekend after the Broncos brought him back last month to fill in for J.D. Walton, whos had a setback in his return from ankle surgery. Manny Ramirez, who took most of the snaps at centre during Denvers off-season practices, was working with Manning the last few days in training camp. He sent a few hikes high, but nothing out of Manningss reach.dddddddddddd The team also recently brought in Steve Vallos, a six-year veteran who has played in Seattle, Cleveland, Philadelphia and Jacksonville. "We always hate losing people for the season, but we will march on," coach John Fox said. These days, the offensive line responsible for keeping Manning safe and secure is pretty banged up. All-Pro left tackle Ryan Clady has been limited at training camp due to a right shoulder. Tackle Orlando Franklin (toe, shoulder) and guard Chris Kuper (ankle) are also coming off surgeries. Franklin is back with the starters, while Kuper is going through drills on an adjacent field in shorts. On Wednesday, the Broncos received another scare when cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie went down with a left ankle injury and had to be carted off the field. "I am not over concerned," Fox said after practice. "But any time a player misses time, I am concerned. We will just get him healthy and get him back out there." Guard Justin Boren also had to be helped off the field with a big toe ailment. ' ' '