Cotton scores 23 as Providence tops No. 20 Creighton 81-68
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Bryce Cotton scored 23 points and LaDontae Henton added 19 as Providence upset 20th-ranked Creighton 81-68 on Saturday night.
The victory is the third straight Big East victory for the Friars (13-5, 3-2). They defeated a nationally ranked team for the first time since defeating No. 21 Notre Dame on Feb. 16, 2013.
Doug McDermott led the Bluejays (15-3, 5-1) with 21 points and seven rebounds. The only other Creighton player in double figures was Devin Brooks, who had 10 points.
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Providence led 37-30 at halftime despite two players picking up three fouls piece in the first half. The Friars then opened the second half on an 18-5 run that put the Bluejays in a 55-35 hole with 13:51 left.
The Friars lead the all-time series 6-4, but this was the first meeting between the new conference rivals since Nov. 25, 2000.