Xavier clinches share of Big East crown with win over Providence

CINCINNATI — Trevon Bluiett scored 23 points in his final game at the Cintas Center, and No. 3

Xavier never trailed while beating Providence 84-74 on Wednesday, clinching at least a share of its first Big East championship.

The Musketeers (26-4, 14-3) can win it outright by beating Depaul on Saturday and end Villanova’s run of four straight regular season titles.

Bluiett will leave Xavier as its second all-time scorer. He made the game’s first basket on a driving layup, and finished off the Friars with a dunk and a pair of free throws in the final minute. Quentin Goodin added 18 points, one shy of his career high.

Providence (18-12, 9-8) couldn’t pull off the sweep after getting off to a slow start and getting into foul trouble.

Mountain West New Mexico 108, Colorado State 87 —

At Fort Collins, Colo., Joe Furstinger scored 22 points and New Mexico (16-14, 11-6 Mountain West) throttled faltering Colorado State (11-20, 4-14).

At Laramie, Wyo., Justin James scored 18 points and Wyoming (1911, 10-7 Mountain West Conference) beat Air Force (11-18, 5-12).

At San Jose, Calif., Jaycee Hillsman scored 19 points and grabbed five rebounds and San Jose State (4-24, 1-16 Mountain West) edged Utah State (14-16, 7-10).

Wyoming 66, Air Force 54 — San Jose State 64, Utah State 62— Wednesday

1. Virginia (26-2) did not play. Next: at Louisville, Thursday.

2. Michigan State (28-3) did not play. Next: vs. Maryland or Wisconsin, Friday.

3. Xavier (26-4) beat Providence 84-74. Next: at Depaul, Saturday.

4. Villanova (26-4) beat Seton Hall 69-68,

OT. Next: vs. Georgetown, Saturday.

5. Duke (24-6) did not play. Next: vs. No. 9 North Carolina, Saturday.

6. Kansas (24-6) did not play. Next: at Oklahoma State, Saturday.

7. Gonzaga (27-4) did not play. Next: vs. Loyola Marymount or Portland, Saturday.

8. Purdue (26-5) did not play. Next: vs. Indiana, Rutgers, Friday.

9. North Carolina (22-8) did not play. Next: at No. 5 Duke, Saturday.

10. Cincinnati (25-4) did not play. Next: Next: at Tulane, Thursday.

11. Wichita State (23-5) did not play. Next: at Central Florida, Thursday.

12. Texas Tech (22-8) did not play. Next: vs. Texas Christian, Saturday.

13. Ohio State (24-7) did not play. Next: vs. Penn State or Northwestern, Friday.

14. Auburn (24-6) did not play. Next: vs. South Carolina, Saturday.

15. Michigan (24-7) did not play. Next: vs. Iowa, Thursday.

16. Tennessee (22-7) did not play. Next: vs. Georgia, Saturday.

17. Rhode Island (23-5) did not play. Next: at Davidson, Friday.

18. Clemson (22-7) beat Florida State 76-63. Next: at Syracuse, Saturday.

19. Arizona (22-7) did not play. Next: vs. Stanford, Thursday.

20. West Virginia (22-8) did not play. Next: at Texas, Saturday.

21. UNR (26-5) beat UNLV 101-75. Next: at San Diego State, Saturday.

22. Saint Mary’s (27-4) did not play. Next: vs. Santa Clara or Pepperdine, Saturday.

23. Kentucky (21-9) beat Mississippi 96-78. Next: at Florida, Saturday.

24. Middle Tennessee (23-5) did not play. Next: vs. Western Kentucky, Thursday.

25. Houston (23-6) beat SMU 69-56. Next: vs. Connecticut, Sunday.