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Providence knocks off No. 8 Villanova

Jan 27, 2011 - 3:11 AM Providence, RI (Sports Network) - Vincent Council led a balanced attack with 16 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, as the Providence Friars upset the eighth-ranked Villanova Wildcats, 83-68, in a Big East Conference clash.

Marshon Brooks had a game-high 20 points with eight boards for the Friars (13-8, 2-6 Big East), who have won two in a row since a six-game skid.

Gerard Coleman chipped in with 16 points for Providence, which improved to 12-2 at home this season. Kadeem Batts donated 11 points and nine rebounds.

Antonio Pena had 17 points and 15 boards to pace the Wildcats (17-3, 5-2), who have lost two of three. Maalik Wayns tallied 18 points in the setback.

The Friars jumped out to an early 6-0 lead and never looked back.

Holding a 16-14 lead, Providence ripped off eight straight points. Council's jumper made it a 24-14 game with under 6 1/2 minutes left in the first half. It was 34-25 at the break.

The Friars scored the first four points of the second half to build a 38-25 margin.

Pena's jumper with over 10 minutes to play cut the gap to seven, 50-43. But Providence responded with an 8-3 spurt to essentially put the game away.

Villanova never got closer than eight the rest of the way.

Game Notes

Villanova still owns a 51-35 series advantage versus Providence. The Wildcats had won eight in a row against the Friars...Providence made 31-of-38 shots from the foul line, while the Wildcats went 14-of-18 from the charity stripe.