’Nova KO’s PC in OT
Big East’s NCAA bid belongs to Wildcats again
Mikal Bridges scored 25 points and hit two 3-pointers in overtime to lift No. 2 Villanova to a 76-66 win against Providence in the Big East tournament championship game last night in New York.
The Wildcats (30-4) won their second straight conference tourney and third in four years. They put the bow on a fantastic season that should have them earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament when the field is announced tonight.
Villanova had rolled to a pair of dominant victories in the tourney and held off a pesky Providence team that played its third straight overtime game.
The Friars (21-13) rallied in the second half from another doubledigit hole and seemed set to pull off one more upset and earn the automatic NCAA berth.
Kyron Cartwright hit a jumper with 1:38 left that tied the game at 58-all and Alpha Diallo scored on a driving layup with 40 seconds left for a 60-58 lead. Big East Player of the Year Jalen Brunson tied it for Villanova with two free throws, and Providence missed a last-gasp shot.
Bridges, who scored 25 points, opened up the extra session with a 3 and hit another that helped stretch the lead for good. Brunson tied a career-high with 31 points on an emphatic dunk that sent the Madison Square Garden crowd into a frenzy.
Virginia 71, N. Carolina 63 — In New York, Kyle Guy had 16 points, Devon Hall added 15 and the Cavaliers (31-2) completed one of the Atlantic Coast Conference’s most successful seasons, beating the Tar Heels (25-10) in the conference tourney final to finish 20-1 against league competition.
Kansas 81, W. Virginia 70 — In Kansas City, Mo., Malik Newman led with 20 points, Devonte Graham had 18 and 13 assists, and Silvio De Sousa added 16 points with 10 rebounds, as the Jayhawks (27-7) bested the Mountaineers (24-10) in the Big 12 tournament final.
Marshall 67, W. Kentucky 66 — In Frisco, Texas, Jon Elmore scored 20 of his 27 points after halftime, including 11 in a row in a span of just over two minutes, and the Thundering Herd (24-10) beat the Hilltoppers (24-10) in the Conference USA championship game.
Buffalo 76, Toledo 66 — In Cleveland, Wes Clark scored 26 points, Nick Perkins contributed 16, including a big 3-pointer, and the Bulls (26-8) secured their third win in the Mid-American Conference championship game in four years by beating the Rockets (23-11).
N.C. Central 71, Hampton 63 — In Norfolk, Va., Pablo Rivas had 22 points, Jordan Perkins added 13 points and nine assists, and the Eagles (19-15) scored 11 in a row to break a 58-58 tie and beat the Pirates in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament final.
San Diego St. 82, New Mexico 75 — In Las Vegas, Troy Kell scored 28 points and the Aztecs (22-10) also got 16 points from Malik Pope and 12 from Devin Watson in the win against the Lobos (19-15) in the Mountain West Conference tournament championship.
S.F. Austin 59, SE Louisiana 55 — In Katy, Texas, Ty Holyfield had 13 points and 12 rebounds, and the Lumberjacks (28-6) rallied to cut down the Lions (22-11) to win the Southland Conference championship for the fourth time in the last five years.
Texas Southern 84, Ark.-Pine Bluff 69 — In Houston, Trayvon Reed had 17 points and 10 rebounds, Demontrae Jefferson added 15 points and the Tigers (15-19) topped the Golden Lions (14-20) in the Southwestern Athletic Conference final between sub-.500 teams.
Cincinnati 70, Memphis 60 — In Orlando, Fla., Jarron Cumberland scored 18 points and Gary Clark had 17 points and 12 rebounds to rally the Bearcats (29-4) past the Tigers (21-13) in the American Athletic Conference tournament semifinals.
Houston 77, Wichita St. 74 — Rob Gray scored 33 points, including two free throws with 5 seconds to play, and the Cougars (26-6) beat the Shockers (25-7) in the other American Athletic Conference semifinal in Orlando, Fla.
Kentucky 86, Alabama 63 — In St. Louis, Wenyen Gabriel shot 7-for-7 on 3’s on his way to 23 points, and the Wildcats (23-10) eased by the Crimson Tide (19-15) in the Southeastern Conference tournament semifinals.
Tennessee 84, Arkansas 66 — Jordan Bone had 19 points, 17 in the first half on 7-for-7 shooting, and the Volunteers (25-7) beat the Razorbacks (23-11) in the other Southeastern Conference semifinal in St. Louis.
UT-Arlington 71, La.-Lafayette 68 — In New Orleans, Erick Neal had 18 points as the Mavericks (21-12) upset the top-seeded Ragin’ Cajuns (27-6) in a Sun Belt Conference tournament semifinal.
Ga. State 73, Ga. Southern 67 — In the second Sun Belt semifinal in New Orleans, Isaiah Williams scored 14 of his 21 points in the second half, and the Panthers (23-10) beat the Eagles (21-12).