All Providence coach Keno Davis wanted was for his team to be part of the conversation about who will be in the NCAA Tournament field.
They’re talking about the Friars now.
Weyinmi Efejuku scored 16 points for host Providence, which took a 20-point lead and then turned back one last rally by No. 1 Pittsburgh for an 81-73 victory last night.
The victory greatly improves the at-large resume for the Friars (17-11, 9-7), who are in sixth place in the 16-team Big East, a league considered by most as the toughest in the country.
“I think they made a big step to be able to continue their collegiate careers tonight,” Davis said of his seniors after their final home game.
Pittsburgh (25-3, 12-3) returned to the No. 1 spot in the AP poll on Monday.
“It was just terrible. We didn’t play as us,” said Panthers forward DeJuan Blair, who fouled out for the second time in Pitt’s three losses. “They deserved [it]. We gave them that game.”
BC 72, Florida St. 67
In Boston, Tyrese Rice hit a key 3-pointer with 20.5 seconds to play and Joe Trapani scored 19 points to lead Boston College (20-9, 8-6 ACC) to an upset of No. 23 Florida State.
LSU 81, Florida 75
In Baton Rouge, La., Marcus Thornton scored 32 points and No. 18 LSU (24-4, 12-1) clinched a share of the SEC championship.
Ohio St. 73, Penn St. 59
In Columbus, Ohio, Jeremie Simmons (14 points)led a second-half surge as Ohio State (18-8, 8-7 Big Ten) ended a three-game losing skid.