Friars In New Mexico
Providence (8-3) was edged by Ball State on Thursday night, 52-51, at the Lobo Invitational to drop its second straight match in Albuquerque. The Cardinals outscored the Friars 18-10 over the final 10 minutes, draining the go-ahead three-pointer with nine seconds left on the clock. PC had two shot attempts in the final seconds, but neither fell. Earlette Scott scored a game-high 17 points, while Olivia Orlando had eight points and eight boards. The Friars will look to end their trip out west on a high note when they close out the Lobo Invitational against Loyola Marymount today at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Recap | Box Score
Weekend Ahead
Nine of 10 BIG EAST teams close out non-league play this weekend, including five today. Seton Hall (6-4) tips off the day at noon ET when it hosts Lafayette. The Pirates have won two of their last three since the return of BIG EAST Preseason Player of the Year Shadeen Samuels. St. John’s (6-4) follows at 1 p.m. against Fairfield, with the Red Storm playing their first game since nearly upsetting No. 8/8 Florida State on Sunday. Xavier (1-8) begins its two-game stay in West Palm Beach when it faces Florida at 2:30 p.m., before -/RV Creighton (8-2) looks to pick up another quality road win when it visits RV/RV Arizona State at 4 p.m. The Sun Devils are one of three top-75 RPI teams on the BIG EAST schedule this weekend, along with No. 16/16 DePaul’s Friday opponent Loyola Chicago. The Blue Demons (9-2) will look to deal the Ramblers (9-0) their first loss of the season. In the latest NCAA RPI, ASU is No. 68, Loyola Chicago is No. 55 and Xavier’s Saturday opponent, -/RV Northwestern, is No. 8. The BIG EAST currently has six teams in the top 75 of the NCAA RPI – No. 7 Creighton, No. 15 DePaul, No. 45 Marquette, No. 46 Providence, No. 66 Seton Hall and No. 75 St. John’s.
Upcoming Schedule
Friday
Lafayette at Seton Hall, Noon
Fairfield at St. John’s, 1 p.m.
Xavier vs. Florida, 2:30 p.m.%
-/RV Creighton at RV/RV Arizona State, 4 p.m.
Providence vs. Loyola Marymount, 6:30 p.m.#
16/16 DePaul at Loyola-Chicago, 8 p.m.
Saturday
Georgetown at UMES, 2 p.m.
Villanova at La Salle, 2:30 p.m.
Xavier vs. -/RV Northwestern, 2:30 p.m.
Belmont at -/RV Marquette, 3 p.m.
Sunday
Purdue Fort Wayne at Butler, 2 p.m.
All times Eastern
#Albuquerque, N.M.
%West Palm Beach, Fla.