The Providence Friars started to slip late in the regular season, but there was really never any doubt that they would make the NCAA Tournament. They went in as a No.9 seed against the No. 8 seed USC Trojans and came away with their first tournament win since 1997.
The Trojans had every chance in the world to put the Friars away late in the game. Providence guard Kris Dunn hit a late three-point shot to tie the game at 68, but the Friars made a mistake by fouling the Trojans twice down the stretch.
USC found out just how important making free throws is when they missed three of four, giving them just a 69-68 lead. With three seconds left, Providence in-bounded the ball underneath their own goal and Rodney Bullock found the basket for a game-winning layup with 1.5 seconds left.
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This gave the Friars the definitive 70-69 lead as they won to get to the Round of 32 for the first time in nearly 20 years. On the night, Bullock finished with 16 points and ten rebounds, while Ben Bentil added 19 points and nine rebounds.
The Friars move on to face the No. 1 seed North Carolina Tar Heels on Saturday. The game will take place from PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports
