Kyron Cartwright, Providence Stun No. 3 Villanova

With the NCAA tournament approaching, the Providence Friars added a monstrous victory to their resume Wednesday night against the No. 3 Villanova Wildcats.

Providence exploded for 49 second-half points at the Dunkin' Donuts Center on the way to a 76-71 Big East victory over Villanova. Kyron Cartwright (17 points, five assists and three steals), Alpha Diallo (14 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals) and Rodney Bullock (14 points and six rebounds) led the way in a balanced Friars attack that saw five different players score in double figures.

Mikal Bridges (19 points and seven rebounds) and Jalen Brunson (14 points and five assists) did what they could for the Wildcats, but it wasn't enough to earn a win on the road. They also both fouled out—Brunson on his seventh turnover as a charge—and weren't available as their team attempted to make a late charge in the final minute.

Villanova could have used its two playmakers on the court considering Cartwright missed five free throws in the final minute to keep the No. 3 team in the nation within striking distance and the home crowd on edge until the final buzzer.

While the Friars were the clear beneficiaries of the victory, the No. 4 Xavier Musketeers will likely also offer their thanks. Wednesday was Villanova's second loss in three games, dropping it to 10-3 in conference play and a game behind the Musketeers in the race for the Big East regular-season crown.

Villanova beat Xavier in the first matchup this season, but the two sides play again Saturday on the Musketeers' home floor.

As for Providence, it is now 3-1 in its last four and is pursuing a spot in the Big Dance. It will have another chance to pick up a solid win Saturday when it travels to Butler, and the Friars play at Xavier later in the season.

John Gasaway of ESPN.com listed Providence in the "work to do" section of his most recent bubble watch, but that was before it beat the No. 3 team in the country.

Prevailing against an opponent like Villanova is the type of victory that can separate the Friars from the rest of the bubble.