PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Marshon Brooks scored 19 of his team-high 25 points in the first half and Providence overcame a career-high 26 points by Shane Gibson and a late Sacred Heart comeback to score an 84-76 non-conference victory Tuesday night.
Providence of the Big East (11-2) built a 12-point lead against the Pioneers of the Northeast Conference with 12:03 left and then had to survive the late charge that twice brought Sacred Heart (4-8) to within three points. The Providence lead was cut to 77-74 with 1:08 left before the Friars beat the press, fed Bilal Dixon for slam dunk and earned some breathing room.
The loss, which ended the Pioneers' three-game winning streak, kept Sacred Heart coach Dave Bike from reaching the 500-win plateau, his first shot at the milestone. Bike is No. 20 among active coaches in wins and the loss was his 451st.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Marshon Brooks scored 19 of his team-high 23 points in the first half and Providence overcame a career-high 26 points by Shane Gibson and a late Sacred Heart comeback to score an 84-76 non-conference victory Tuesday night.
Providence of the Big East (11-2) built a 12-point lead against the Pioneers of the Northeast Conference with 12:03 left and then had to survive the late charge that twice brought Sacred Heart (4-8) to within three points. The Providence lead was cut to 77-74 with 1:08 left before the Friars beat the press, fed Bilal Dixon for slam dunk and earned some breathing room.
The loss, which ended the Pioneers' three-game winning streak, kept Sacred Heart coach Dave Bike from reaching the 500-win plateau, his first shot at the milestone. Bike is No. 20 among active coaches in wins and the loss was his 451st.
(This version CORRECTS APNewsNow. Providence 84, Sacred Heart 76. Corrects Brooks' scoring total to 25 in first paragraph.)
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