Friars beat No. 11 Creighton 74-70

OMAHA, Neb. — Nate Watson scored a career-high 29 points and Providence turned back Creighton each time it pulled close to beat the 11th-ranked Bluejays 74-70 on Wednesday night.

Providence (8-6, 4-4 Big East) won for the first time in four games and avenged a crushing loss to the Bluejays three weeks ago. Creighton (10-4, 6-3) lost its second straight after one of its worst offensive games of the season.

The Friars built an early 17-point lead behind the strong inside play of the 6-foot-10, 260-pound Watson. Creighton battled back to 39-34 at halftime, fell behind by double digits in the second half and then made late runs that fell short.

NO. 10 WISCONSIN 68, NORTHWESTERN 52

MADISON, Wis. — Tyler Wahl paced a balanced attack with 14 points and Wisconsin (12-3, 6-2 Big Ten) pulled away in the second half for a victory over Northwestern (6-7, 3-6). The Badgers gained control with a 12-0 run midway through the second half. Micah Potter’s 3-pointer put Wisconsin up 56-39.

GEORGIA TECH 83, NO. 20 CLEMSON 65

ATLANTA — Georgia Tech (7-3, 3-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) returned from a 17-day layoff with one of its most impressive showings of the season, routing Clemson (9-3, 3-3) as three players scored more than 20 points.

Michael Devoe led the way with 22 points, while Moses Wright and Jordan Usher chipped in with 21 apiece.

WOMEN’S AP TOP 25 NO. 9 BAYLOR 77, OKLAHOMA ST. 58

STILLWATER, Okla. — Moon Ursin scored 20 points and Baylor (9-2, 4-1 Big 12) bounced back from a rare loss to beat Oklahoma State (9-5, 5-3).