MBB Minute – Friars, Musketeers and Blue Demons Pick Up Wednesday Wins
Wednesday was another unbeaten night for the BIG EAST as Providence, Xavier and DePaul each added a win.
Providence (7-2) had the toughest road to victory, needing overtime to defeat Brown 77-72. Rodney Bullock scored five of his 21 points in the extra period. He also pulled down nine rebounds. Bullock was one of five Friars to finish in double figures. Providence trailed by 15 points early in the second half before rallying. Freshman guard Makai Ashton-Langford made his starting debut and finished with 11 points, seven assists and five boards. Kyron Cartwright was nursing an ankle injury and scored two points in 15 minutes.
Xavier (8-1) opened its game against Kent State with a 14-2 run en route to a 96-70 win at Cintas Center. The Musketeers placed four players in double figures led by Trevon Bluiett’s 26 points. Kerem Kanter added a career-high 20 points and eight rebounds. Sixteen of Kanter’s 20 points were scored in the second half.
DePaul (4-4) extended its winning streak to three as the Blue Demons handily defeated Central Connecticut State 85-57. Five Blue Demons finished in double digits, led by Eli Cain with 17 points and Brandon Cyrus with 16. The 28-point margin of victory was DePaul’s largest this season. The Blue Demons held a 48-27 rebounding edge.
Thursday night features only Georgetown as the 6-0 Hoyas look to extend their unbeaten record against local foe Howard. Tipoff is 8:30 p.m. on FS1. GU’s Jessie Govan leads the BIG EAST in rebounding with a 12.2 average.
BIG EAST teams are a combined 68-16 (.810) this season going into Thursday.