Marshon Brooks scored 24 points, including 16 in the second half, and added seven rebounds to lead Providence over South Florida 68-63 on Wednesday night.
Vincent Council added 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the Friars (14-9, 3-7 Big East). Brooks has scored 20 or more points in 15 of Providence's last 16 games.
In what was a close game early, the Friars went on a 14-2 run punctuated by Duke Mondy's second 3-pointer for a 56-47 lead. The Bulls then responded with an 11-2 run to tie it at 58.
With the score tied and just under 3 minutes left in the game, Brooks took over for the Friars, scoring five consecutive points. Friar forward Kadeem Batts then blocked an Augustus Gilchrist hook shot attempt, and South Florida was forced to foul. After Batts and Brice Cotton sank two free throws each, there was not enough time left for South Florida to recover.
After shooting 9 of 25 in the first half, the Friars improved to 13-of-27 shooting in the second half.
Jawanza Poland led South Florida (8-15, 2-8) with 20 points, and Toarlyn Fitzpatrick matched his career high with 13. Gilchrist finished with 10 points, nine rebounds and three blocks, but he also led South Florida with five turnovers. The Bulls were without injured starting forward Jarrid Famous.
Providence has now won three consecutive home games, and South Florida has lost all six of its road games in Big East play.
