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Providence gunning for top-25 ranking

Jan 31, 2009 - 11:25 AM Providence (14-6) at No. 2 Connecticut (19-1) 4:00 p.m. EST

STORRS, Connecticut (Ticker) -- Providence is making a strong case for a spot in the top 25. A win over one of the top teams in the nation would certainly convince the voters of its point.

The Friars continue a difficult stretch when they visit second-ranked Connecticut on Saturday.

Providence (14-6, 6-2 Big East) made a huge statement on Wednesday, outlasting 15th-ranked Syracuse, 100-94, to win its third straight game overall while recording its best start in league play since 2000-01.

The Friars shot 54 percent (36-of-67) from the field, including 10-of-26 on 3-pointers, in reaching 100 points for the third time this season.

The win was also a good start to a three-game span that includes the stop at Connecticut before meetings with No. 21 Villanova and West Virginia, which is currently 15-5 overall, 4-3 in the ultra-competitive Big East.

UConn will be the biggest for Providence as the Huskies (19-1, 8-1) will be seeking their eighth straight win after throttling DePaul, 71-49, on Wednesday.

Jeff Adrien recorded his sixth consecutive double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds, Jerome Dyson scored 18 points and Hasheem Thabeet added 11 and nine boards for Connecticut, which turned a six-point halftime lead into a double-digit advantage it would not relinquish thanks to a 13-5 run to open the half.