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St. John's Vince Cole nails the game-winning basket against Saint Peter's.
St. John's Vince Cole nails the game-winning basket against Saint Peter's.

Men's Basketball

#BIGEASTmbb Minute: An 8-0 Start

MBB Minute – Of the eight BIG EAST contests on Wednesday, the afternoon games were comfortable wins, while the evening provided more drama.  In the end, though, all eight league squads started their seasons with victories. 

Xavier, the first team to play, overpowered Oakland 101-49 in the first round of the Xavier Invitational.  Forward Zach Freemantle registered career highs in points (21), rebounds (12) and assists (4).  The Musketeers play Bradley today at noon ET on FS1.

Providence got it going late in the first half en route to a 97-56 victory over Fairfield.  Center Nate Watson finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds.  Guard David Duke added 18 points.

Jahvon Blair led Georgetown to a 70-62 win over UMBC.  The senior guard had 23 points, eight rebounds and five assists.  Qudus Wahab added 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Butler used a career-high 21 points from senior Aaron Thompson in a 66-62 win over Western Michigan.  The Bulldogs posted their 59th straight home win against an unranked opponent, the longest active streak in the nation.

St. John’s needed a 3-pointer by Vince Cole with 8.5 seconds left to slip past Saint Peter’s 76-75 in the Lapchick Tournament.  Cole finished with 21 points.  Freshman Posh Alexander had 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists.  The Johnnies battle La Salle this afternoon at 2 p.m. on FS1.

Connecticut got off to a slow start, then rolled to a 102-75 victory over Central Connecticut State.  Guard James Bouknight scored 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds.  In his Husky debut, guard R.J. Cole had 17 points, six assists and four steals.

Villanova, No. 3 in both national polls, overcame a nine-point deficit in the second half to defeat Boston College 76-67 in the Empire Classic at Mohegan Sun Arena.  Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, hampered by early foul trouble, led the rally and finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds.  The Wildcats meet No. 18/17 Arizona State Thursday night at 9:35 p.m. on ESPN. The win over BC was the 1,800th in school history.

Marquette had little trouble with Arkansas-Pine Bluff, recording a 99-57 win.  In his collegiate debut, Dawson Garcia, BIG EAST Preseason Freshman of the Year, scored 19 points.  Theo John contributed 13 points and 13 rebounds.