WATCH: Crazy sequence sends Providence vs. Xavier to triple overtime
As if Providence vs. Xavier wasn’t crazy enough, the game entered a third overtime period after a wild sequence in the second extra period.
After a missed free throw by Providence’s Alyn Breed, Xavier’s Paul Scruggs got the rebound and took it all the way down the court for a buzzer-beating three-pointer. The officials reviewed to see if Scruggs’ foot was behind the line, and the call stood. Triple overtime was on the horizon.
That’s when Providence ended up pulling away to get the 99-92 victory. The game ran so long that CBS Sports Network’s coverage of Wyoming vs. Colorado State picked up in the second half when it was supposed to carry the whole game.
Get ready for these stats. It’s a jam-packed box score.
The game featured 15 ties and 13 lead changes. Four players fouled out, including Providence’s second-leading scorer, AJ Reeves. There was also a 15-minute delay for a leak in the ceiling.
Jared Bynum led the way with 27 points — none bigger than a three-pointer with 32 seconds left to put Providence up by two possessions. As a group, the Friars shot 14-for-29 from three-point territory, including five three-point field goals from Bynum and Reeves.
For Xavier, Scruggs had a team-high 19 points, including that buzzer-beating shot to extend the game. Zach Freemantle was behind him with 15 points while Colby Jones had 14 points and 11 rebounds along with a team-high three steals on defense.
Now, the Friars are in position to win the Big East regular season title with a victory on Saturday. If they pull it off, it’d be their first championship in program history. They’ll face off against Creighton at home Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET on FS1.
Xavier fell to 7-9 in league play with the loss and has three games left on its regular-season schedule. The Musketeers face Seton Hall Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX.