NEW YORK – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – Providence and Butler both led most of the way in their BIG EAST contests on Wednesday, then held off late rallies to post home court victories. The No. 21 Friars (12-1, 2-0 Big East) defeated No. 15 Seton Hall (9-2, 0-1 Big East) 70-65 and the Bulldogs (8-4, 1-0 Big East) beat DePaul (9-2, 0-1 Big East) 63-59.
Seton Hall coach Kevin Willard called PC’s Noah Horchler the “difference maker” after Horchler posted game highs of 17 points, 13 rebounds and three blocked shots. He also made 5-of-6 from 3-point range. Nate Watson and Jared Bynum each added 14 points. Watson became the 18th Friar to eclipse the career 1,500-point mark.
Providence used a 15-0 run late in the first half to gain some control of the game. The Pirates, who were without Ike Obiagu and Tyrese Samuel, cut a 13-point deficit in the second half to three points twice in the final minute. Alexis Yetna had 13 points and 11 rebounds and Jared Rhoden added 10 points and 10 boards. The Friars recorded their fifth Quad 1 victory, which leads the nation.
Butler led 60-50 before DePaul’s nine-point run made it 60-59 in the final seconds. Bulldog freshman Simas Lukosius made two free throws with three seconds left to seal the win. Lukosius scored a team-high 15 points. Fellow freshman Jayden Taylor and Chuck Harris each added 13 points. Aaron Thompson made seven steals, one short of the school record.
Brandon Johnson was tops for DePaul with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Javon Freeman-Liberty added 13 points, seven rebounds and five assists. The Blue Demons were without starter David Jones.
BIG EAST play continues New Year’s Day with three games. At noon ET, Creighton plays at Marquette on FS1. At 2 p.m., No. 22 Villanova visits No. 15 Seton Hall on CBS. At 3 p.m., DePaul hosts No. 21 Providence on FOX.