MBB Minute – On a 3-2 Tuesday in BIG EAST play, Creighton and Villanova marched to victories with six players reaching double figures in each contest.  Providence never trailed in its game, though the Friars had to hold on in the final seconds to gain a win.  Marquette and Georgetown encountered second-half troubles in defeat.

Creighton, No. 9 this week in the Associated Press poll, jumped to a 32-10 lead against local foe Omaha and won 94-67.  Christian Bishop paced six players in double figures with 18 points in only 16 minutes of playing time.  Marcus Zegarowski posted his first career double-double with 11 points and 11 assists.

Villanova coach Jay Wright used his bench liberally in the Wildcats’ matchup with Hartford and was rewarded with an 87-53 triumph.  Redshirt freshman Eric Dixon had 14 points and 10 rebounds with Cole Swider and Brandon Slater each chipping in 13 points.  Among the starters, Justin Moore had 15 points.

Providence never trailed in its game against Davidson, but needed a 3-pointer by Jared Bynum with 41 seconds left to help preserve a 63-62 win in the second round of the Maui Invitational.  Nate Watson continued his strong play with a game-high 22 points.

Marquette led Oklahoma State 35-32 at halftime in a Big12-BIG EAST Battle, but struggled offensively in the second half and lost 70-62.  Koby McEwen scored a game-high 21 points and senior Jamal Cain recorded his first career double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds.

Navy grabbed a 61-60 lead at Georgetown with 6:39 to play and outscored the Hoyas 17-11 the rest of the way in a 78-71 Georgetown defeat.  Jamorko Pickett and Jahvon Blair both finished with 17 points and six rebounds.   

Wednesday’s schedule starts with St. John’s playing BYU at 5 p.m. ET at Mohegan Sun on ESPN2.  Then, BIG EAST hoop fans can have their TV remotes ready for a Providence versus Alabama matchup on ESPN2 at 7 p.m.  It’s PC’s final game of the Maui Invitational.  Also at 7 p.m., Xavier puts its 4-0 record on the line at home against Tennessee Tech on FS1.  Seton Hall is on the road at Rhode Island, also at 7 p.m., on CBS Sports Network.

The BIG EAST’s overall conference record is 20-5 (.800) going into Wednesday