Jan. 31, 2001

Box Score

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - John Linehan scored a season-high 20 points and made 6 of 7 3-point attempts to boost Providence past Villanova 84-64 Wednesday night.

Erron Maxey added 19 and Maris Laksa added 12 for Providence (15-5, 6-2 Big East). Michael Bradley, who leads the country in field goal percentages with 69.4 percent, had game high totals of 26 points on 10 of 16 shooting and 13 rebounds for Villanova (12-6, 4-3 Big East).

Providence and Villanova matched field goals at 24, but the Friars had an edge in free throws, making 25 of 31 to just 12 of 21 for the Wildcats.

Providence also forced Villanova into 27 turnovers, including 13 in the first half when they streaked to a 37-28 lead. Villanova averages 17.9 turnovers per game, one of the highest totals in the Big East.

In the second half, Villanova, paced by Bradley, began to whittle away at the lead. Jermaine Medley's 3-pointer with 9:09 remaining cut the deficit to 57-52. The Friars pulled away thereafter, making four 3-pointers and 12 free throws before the game ended.

The Friars' record is the best in the Big East since their 1996-1997 season.