PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Bryce Cotton scored 24 points, hitting five 3-pointers, to propel Providence to a 62-59 win over St. John’s on Saturday night.
Cotton made his final trey as he was fouled with 3:46 remaining, putting the Friars (16-12, 8-8 Big East) squarely in the lead.
Sir’Dominic Pointer’s missed layup with 8 seconds remaining — belying an impressive 13-point, 10-rebound game– ended the Red Storm’s chances at sending the game to overtime.
Kadeem Batts scored 15 points, but his defensive play, with nine boards and a vital rebound with 3 minutes remaining that kept the Friars in the lead, was his most important contribution.