OGDEN, Utah - Big Sky MVP David Patten scored 22 points to lead the Wildcats past the Lumberjacks for an NCAA Tournament berth.

Weber State (20-11, 12-5), which previously made it in 2003, will play in its 14th NCAA Tournament.

But it was Dezmon Harris, not Patten, who sealed the win for the Big Sky regular-season champions on a drive to the basket with one minute to play.

That put the Wildcats ahead 83-77, forcing Northern Arizona (19-12, 11-6) to foul.

Central Connecticut 74, Sacred Heart 70 NEW BRITAIN, Conn.

Javier Mojica scored 25 points, including a late three-pointer that helped the Blue Devils beat the Pioneers in the Northeast Conference tournament championship and earn an automatic NCAA Tournament bid.

Central Connecticut (21-11) won its third conference title in the past seven years. Joey Henley scored 23 for Sacred Heart (18- 14). Jarrid Frye added 16 points for the Pioneers.

Central Connecticut ran away with the conference regular-season championship, going 16-2 in league play and 9-0 at home.

But for much of the second half, it didn't look like Central Connecticut would make the field of 65. The Blue Devils trailed 56-46 with 10:29 to play.

No. 18 Marquette 76, St. John's 67 NEW YORK

Dan Fitzgerald scored eight of his 20 points during a 15-3 run midway through the second half and the Golden Eagles held off the upset-minded Red Storm in the opening round of the Big East tournament.

Wesley Matthews added 15 points and Lazar Hayward scored 14 for Marquette (24-8), which advanced to play third- seeded Pittsburgh (25-6) today.

It will be third game between the teams this season; Mar- quette won the first two, including Saturday night.