Providence Friars at Villanova Wildcats

Bentil, No. 16 Providence beat No. 4 Villanova 82-76 in OT

Bentil scored 10 of his 31 points in overtime, including two clutch free throws with 14.7 seconds left that led No. 16 Providence past No. 4 Villanova 82-76 on Sunday.

Bentil also had 13 rebounds, helping the Friars stop Villanova's 22-game Big East winning streak.

Dunn added 13 points and tied his career-high with 14 assists for Providence (17-3, 5-2).

"A lot of my teammates were open," Dunn said. "I believe in my teammates, and they made big plays today. It was a great team win for us because everybody contributed."

Ryan Arcidiacono scored 19 points for the Wildcats (17-3, 7-1). He made a 3-pointer with seven seconds remaining in regulation that forced overtime.

Arcidiacono admitted that all of the Wildcats' focus on Dunn came at a cost.

"We were concentrating so much on him that we lost guys trying to stop Dunn," he said.

Josh Hart had 18 points for the Wildcats, who had won nine straight overall and 32 in a row at home.

"This is an unbelievable win for us," Providence coach Ed Cooley said.

The game originally was scheduled for Saturday afternoon but was moved back a day due to Winter Storm Jonas.

Neither team led by more than six points after halftime in a tightly played game.

Providence was up 76-72 with 17.2 seconds left in overtime when Bentil finished an alley-oop layup after being set up by Kyron Cartwright.

Arcidiacono converted both free throws after Dunn fouled out on the play to make it 76-74. Bentil then hit both free throws with 14.7 left.

"Coach always says leaders have to step up," Bentil said.

Dunn's steal and assist on Rodney Bullock's fastbreak layup with 2:05 remaining in regulation tied it at 61. Arcidiacono's drive 30 seconds later put Villanova up 63-61, but Dunn answered with a 3-pointer on Providence's ensuing possession to make it 64-63 with 1:11 left.

Cartwright made both shots after being fouled with 16.2 seconds left, giving Providence a 66-63 lead.

Arcidiacono, a senior, tied it at 66 with a 3-pointer from the right wing with seven seconds left.

"(Arcidiacono) has made big shots against us his whole career," Cooley said. "I mean, wow, he's been here longer than Robert Parish was with the Celtics."

"Was it a little deflating? Yes. But I definitely thought we showed some road toughness and team toughness," he said.

The Friars had a chance to win it in regulation, but Dunn's stepback 3-point attempt at the buzzer clanked off the rim.

STREAK SNAPPED

The loss ended the Wildcats' 22-game conference winning streak, a feat at which Cooley marveled.

"This Big East Conference is a bear," Cooley said. "You have to knuckle up every game and make sure you're detailed and disciplined."

Villanova coach Jay Wright, while disappointed to see the streak end, feels the loss will benefit the Wildcats.

"I'd still rather be answering (streak) questions," Wright said. "It's always easier to get better after you lose. It's a challenge to win and keep getting better. This will help us get better."

SNOWED IN

The Friars had been holed up in their Philadelphia hotel since Thursday night although they did manage to get to the Wells Fargo Center on Friday and Saturday for practice.

"If we can play like this, I hope it snows for the rest of the season," Cooley said. "Lock us in a hotel until whenever."

OCHEFU BENCHED

Villanova senior forward Daniel Ochefu didn't start for the first time this season due to a violation of team rules. Wright said Ochefu "lost his cool" in practice.

Ochefu, who played 27 minutes, finished with seven points and 11 rebounds. Darryl Reynolds made his first start of the season in place of Ochefu.

TIP-INS

Providence: Dunn went down with 4:13 left in the game, clutching his thigh. He was subbed, but re-entered 27 seconds later. ... Providence lost to Villanova three times last season, including 63-61 on March 13 in the Big East semifinals. It was their first win over the Wildcats since Feb. 3, 2013.

Villanova: Due to busing issues, neither Villanova's cheerleaders nor band made it to the game. . The Wildcats are 44-34 all-time at the Wells Fargo Center, which is their secondary home court. . Jenkins had a career-high seven assists.

UP NEXT

Providence: Hosts No. 5 Xavier on Tuesday.

Villanova: At St. John's on Sunday.

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