Ben Bentil matched PC's single-game BIG EAST Tournament points record
Postgame Quotes - Providence
Postgame Quotes - Butler
NEW YORK (AP) — Ben Bentil scored 38 points with an impressive array of power moves and long jumpers, leading Providence to a 74-60 victory over Butler in the Big East Tournament quarterfinals Thursday.
Kris Dunn added 15 points and seven assists for the fourth-seeded Friars (23-9), who led for nearly 37 minutes and pulled away in the second half. They advanced to the semifinals Friday night against third-ranked and top-seeded Villanova, an 81-67 winner over Georgetown in Thursday's first game at Madison Square Garden.
Bentil's dazzling performance matched the second-highest scoring output in tournament history. Donyell Marshall had 42 points for Connecticut against St. John's in 1994.
Kellen Dunham scored 17 to pace No. 5 seed Butler (21-10), winless in three Big East Tournament games since joining the league. He was 5 for 6 from 3-point range, and Kelan Martin added 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Bentil pulled down eight boards in a game between teams with similar NCAA resumes. Both seem to have sufficient at-large credentials, but Providence will certainly feel more comfortable on Selection Sunday after winning this March matchup to complete a sweep of the three-game season series.
Butler could be sweating out a spot this weekend, though the Bulldogs lost for only the third time in their last 10 games.
Bentil led the league in scoring with a 21.2 average but was beaten out by back-to-back winner Dunn for Big East player of the year. In this one, the muscular, 6-foot-9 sophomore forward with a surprising outside shooting touch was the star of the show.
Bentil went 16 of 24 from the field, including 5 of 9 on 3s, and scored only one point at the free throw line. He grimaced and limped to the bench during a timeout with 2:26 left but remained in the game.
Martin scored the first five points of the second half, giving Butler its first lead and completing a 15-0 surge. But the Friars responded immediately and took the lead for good on a 3 by Bentil with 15:32 remaining. He scored 13 points in 5-plus minutes as Providence regained control at 56-45. The Friars extended the advantage to as many as 19 with 3:13 left.
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TIP-INS
Butler: Senior guard-forward Roosevelt Jones was held to five points on 1-for-9 shooting in 37 minutes. He was averaging 14.3 points per game. ... Butler came in leading the Big East in scoring at 81.3 points per game but was held to 36.2 percent shooting from the field. ... Butler fell to 4-9 at Madison Square Garden.
Providence: Bentil finished four points shy of his season high set Feb. 10 against Marquette. He tied the school record for points in a Big East Tournament game set by Jamine Peterson against Seton Hall in 2010. ... Providence shot 60.7 percent in the second half and finished at 55.4 percent. ... Dunn was shaken up midway through the second half and trotted back late on defense holding his upper chest. He stayed in the game. ... The Friars have won four straight overall. ... Providence leads the all-time series 6-1.
UP NEXT
Butler: Hoping for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament on Sunday.
Providence: The Friars split two meetings with Villanova this season, winning the first one in overtime at Philadelphia on Jan. 23. The Wildcats edged Providence 63-61 in the Big East semifinals last year with the help of a questionable call.