Top 25: Cartwright’s 17 helps Providence stun No. 3 Villanova.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Kyron Cartwright scored 17 points and Providence withstood several late surges to stun third-ranked Villanova 76-71 on Wednesday night.
Rodney Bullock and Alpha Diallo each added 14 points for the Friars (17-9, 8-5 Big East), who snapped a five-game losing streak to the Wildcats.
It was Providence’s first win over Villanova since Jan. 24, 2016.
Mikal Bridges had 19 points for Villanova, but fouled out with 1:12 to play in the game. Jalen Brunson added 14 points.
NO. 4 XAVIER 102, SETON HALL 90
In Cincinnati, Trevon Bluiett followed his worst shooting performance of the season with a 37-point effort, and Xavier held on to securing first place in the Big East.
Xavier (24-3, 12-2) has won nine in a row heading into its showdown with No. 3 Villanova on Saturday at the Cintas Center. Xavier leads the league by a game and a half over the Wildcats.
NO. 10 AUBURN 76, KENTUCKY 66
In Auburn, Ala., Bryce Brown returned from a shoulder injury to score 18 points and make four 3-pointers in leading Auburn.
The Tigers (23-3, 11-2 Southeastern Conference) overcame a horrid shooting start to take control down the stretch, with some big baskets from Brown and clutch plays from Jared Harper.
FLORIDA STATE 81, NO. 11 CLEMSON 79
In Tallahassee, Fla., Phil Cofer scored 17 points, Trent Forrest added 16 and Florida State rallied from an 18-point deficit in the second half.
The Seminoles (18-8, 7-7 Atlantic Coast Conference) didn’t take their first lead until 1:05 remaining in overtime when Forrest made a driving layup to put them up 75-74. After Clemson was called for a 5-second violation on the inbounds, Forrest came up big with another driving layup to put FSU up by three.
NO. 12 DUKE 74, VIRGINIA TECH 52
In Durham, N.C., Grayson Allen scored 25 points and matched a career high with seven 3-pointers as Duke won without freshman star Marvin Bagley III.
Freshman Gary Trent Jr. added 19 points for the Blue Devils (21-5, 9-4 Atlantic Coast Conference). Bagley III, the league’s leading scorer and rebounder, missed his second game with a sprained right knee.
NO. 22 MICHIGAN 74, IOWA 59
In Ann Arbor, Mich., Duncan Robinson scored 18 points to lead Michigan.
The Wolverines (21-7, 10-5 Big Ten) won for the second straight game and the fourth time in five games.
NO. 24 NEVADA 77, BOISE STATE 72
In Boise, Idaho, Kendall Stephens tied his career-high with 21 points and Caleb Martin also had 21 to lead Nevada past Boise State.
Nevada (22-5, 11-2 Mountain West) never led by more than six points in a physical game and held Boise State leading scorer Chandler Hutchinson to 13 points, well below his 20.3 average.