MBB Minute – Providence Wins in OT at Boston College, Seton Hall’s Willard Gains 200th Win
In Tuesday’s BIG EAST action, Providence won at Boston College for the first time since 2004. Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard recorded his 200th career win and Marquette upped its winning streak to four games.
Providence’s A.J. Reeves, the reigning BIG EAST Freshman of the Week, sent the Friars’ game into overtime with a 3-pointer with three seconds left in regulation and finished with 24 points in a 100-95 overtime victory. Nate Watson posted his first career double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard got his 200th career victory when his Pirates (5-3) defeated New Hampshire 77-57. Quincy McKnight had a team-high 18 points. Sandro Mamukelashvili had his first career double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Willard’s victory also increased his Seton Hall win total at 145, passing Bill Raftery for fourth place on the school’s all-time win list.
Marquette has a four-game winning streak after defeating UTEP 76-69. The Golden Eagles (7-2) did not trail in the game and were led by Markus Howard’s 21 points. Freshman Joey Hauser added 15 points and Sacar Anum had 14 points. Howard ranks first in the BIG EAST in scoring with a 22.4 average.
The Wednesday schedule includes four games. Xavier aims to increase its winning streak to four games when it hosts Ohio at 6:30 p.m. ET on FS1. The Musketeers (5-3) have had a balanced attack so far this season. Naji Marshall leads Xavier (5-3) in scoring with a 13.1 average and is second in rebounding at 7.0.
Also at 6:30 p.m., St. John’s will try to extend its unblemished start to 8-0 when it hosts Mount St. Mary’s at Carnesecca Arena on FS2. The Johnnies are riding the production of Shamorie Ponds, who is second in the BIG EAST in scoring with a 22.4 average. Mustapha Heron is the league’s top scoring newcomer with a 16.7 mark.
Butler (5-2) has its first home game since the middle of November when it hosts Brown at 7 p.m. on FSN. Kamar Baldwin is in the top 10 in the BIG EAST in points (17.7-7th), assists (4.7-4th), steals (1.4-T8th), minutes (34.3-T6th) and free throw percentage (8.4-7th).
Villanova, ranked No. 21 in both national polls, continues its Philadelphia Big 5 schedule with a home game against Temple at 8:30 p.m. on FS1. The Wildcats (6-2) beat La Salle 82-75 this past Saturday. They have won a record 23 straight Big 5 games and currently own a four-game winning streak.