Providence vs. Xavier: Score, Highlights and Reaction from 2016 Regular Season

If the Friars faithful weren't ready to push the panic button after their recent three-game losing skid, it might be time to slam their fist up against it now.  

Trevon Bluiett scored a team-high 23 points and Myles Davis posted a triple-double as No. 8 Xavier blew No. 23 Providence off the court in a 85-74 win Wednesday night at Cintas Center in Cincinnati.

Providence has dropped four of its last five games. If it weren't for a sterling first half against Georgetown, the Friars would be looking at a five-game losing streak. Villanova and Xavier combined to outscore them by 23 points, clearly establishing themselves at the head of the conference class. Providence now sits 7-7 in the conference with four games remaining. 

“We break our season in three components: nonconference and conference play and then the postseason. You always want to be 10-plus wins in both nonconference and conference so you can get consideration for an at-large bid if you don’t win your conference tournament,” Providence head coach Ed Cooley said, per Brendan McGair of the Pawtucket Times (via The Call). 

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

The Musketeers held Providence to 32.8 percent shooting, including a 12-of-35 rate from beyond the arc.

Kris Dunn finished with 23 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, but his effort came on a 5-of-12 shooting night. The likely lottery pick put up numbers with his persistence getting to the hole, making his way to the free-throw line 12 times. Friars leading scorer Ben Bentil was held to 17 points, making just five of his 14 field-goal attempts.

Meanwhile, Xavier coasted despite an occasionally inconsistent offensive effort. The Musketeers shot 42.2 percent overall and hit just 69.7 percent of their free-throws. Bluiett's points came on a 6-of-15 shooting effort, though he did knock down three shots from long distance.

Each of Xavier's five starters had at least seven points. Davis' 3-of-9 effort from the field nearly kept him from landing a triple-double as he tossed in 12 assists and 12 rebounds. He is the first Xavier player since Tu Holloway more than four years ago to record a triple-double, per ESPN Stats & Info. 

Big East Coast came through with a solid Billy Madison reference:

Jalen Reynolds added eight points and 15 boards, helping the Musketeers to a 49-42 advantage on the glass overall.

Xavier can thank its hot shooting and rebounding dominance in the first half for the victory. Beginning the game dominant on both ends of the floor, the Musketeers opened a double-digit lead less than eight minutes into the contest and held it for most of the game. They were ahead 52-37 at the halftime break and extended their lead to as many as 21 points in the second half before going cold down the stretch.

After a Makinde London three-pointer put Xavier ahead 69-48 with 9:46 remaining, the Musketeers did not make another field goal for more than six minutes. By the time Reynolds ended the drought with 3:10 remaining, Providence had pulled within six points.

Luckily, Xavier was able to avoid a complete collapse. Providence never got closer than being within six points, as its attempts to extend the game with fouls fell short. Reynolds, Davis and Bluiett combined to knock down five free throws in the final minute, and Larry Austin Jr. threw down a dunk with 20 seconds left for Providence's only other field goal of the last 9:48.

Despite the drought, Xavier's win keeps it on the bubble for a No. 1 seed. The Musketeers would have to win out in the regular season to make that dream a reality, which means taking down No. 1 Villanova next Wednesday. Villanova gave Xavier a 31-point shellacking in Philadelphia the first time these teams played, so there will be palpable motivation here. With seven wins in its last eight games overall, head coach Chris Mack's team is one of the hottest in the country. 

Cooley wishes he could stay the same. All of Providence's remaining regular-season games come against unranked opponents, so it's possible the Friars right the ship. That said, this is a team that hasn't looked impressive in nearly a month and is spiraling as we approach the most important month on the calendar.

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Post-Game Reaction

Davis commented on his triple-double, per The Associated Press (via ESPN): "It's one of those things where you're trying hard not to pay attention to it. It's amazing. It's a great feeling to have it. It's something you try to knock off your bucket list as a basketball player."

Still, he wasn't pleased with his shooting performance: "I wasn't making a shot tonight. I was kind of mad about that."

Cooley complimented Davis' performance: "I think he's their smartest player. He's their leader. He's their best overall thinker. He's the captain of their ship."

Follow Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) on Twitter.