No. 16 Providence Edges No. 4 Villanova, 82-76 In Overtime
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ben Bentil scored 10 of his 31 points in overtime, including two clutch free throws with 14.7 seconds left that led No. 16 Providence past No. 4 Villanova 82-76 on Sunday.
Bentil also had 13 rebounds, helping the Friars stop Villanova's 22-game Big East winning streak.
Kris Dunn added 13 points and 14 assists for Providence (17-3, 5-2).
Ryan Arcidiacono scored 19 points for the Wildcats (17-3, 7-1). He made a 3-pointer with seven seconds remaining in regulation that forced overtime.
Josh Hart had 18 points for the Wildcats, who had won nine straight overall and 32 in a row at home.
The game originally was scheduled for Saturday afternoon but was moved back a day due to Winter Storm Jonas.
Neither team led by more than six points after halftime in a tightly played game.
Providence led 76-72 with 17.2 seconds left in overtime when Bentil finished an alley-oop layup after being set up by Kyron Cartwright.
Arcidiacono converted both free throws after Dunn fouled out on the play to make it 76-74. Bentil then hit both free throws with 14.7 left.
Dunn's steal and assist on Rodney Bullock's fastbreak layup with 2:05 remaining tied it at 61. Arcidiacono's drive 30 seconds later put Villanova up 63-61, but Dunn answered with a 3-pointer on Providence's ensuing possession to make it 64-63 with 1:11 left.
Cartwright made both shots after being fouled with 16.2 seconds left, giving Providence a 66-63 lead.
Arcidiacono tied it at 66 with a 3-pointer from the right wing with seven seconds left.
The Friars had a chance to win it in regulation, but Dunn's stepback 3-point attempt at the buzzer clanked off the rim.
TIP-INS
Providence: Dunn went down with 4:13 left in the game, clutching his thigh. He was subbed, but re-entered 27 seconds later. ... Dunn tied his career high for assists. ... Providence lost to Villanova three times last season, including 63-61 on March 13 in the Big East semifinals. It was their first win over the Wildcats since Feb. 3, 2013.
Villanova: Daniel Ochefu didn't start due to a violation of team rules but entered 4 minutes, 6 seconds into the contest. Darryl Reynolds made his first start of the season in place of Ochefu. ... Due to busing issues, neither Villanova's cheerleaders nor band made it to the game.
UP NEXT
Providence: Hosts No. 5 Xavier on Tuesday.
Villanova: At St. John's on Sunday.
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