COL BKB: Providence 54, Cincinnati 50

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PROVIDENCE, R.I., Feb. 6 (UPI) -- Two free throws from Bryce Cotton gave Providence a four-point lead with 21 seconds to play Wednesday and the Friars upset No. 17 Cincinnati 54-50.

Providence held Cincinnati to two points over the final 2:28 after the Bearcats closed within one on a pair of foul shots from Cheikh Mbodj.

The Friars led by as many as 12 points in the second half and held on despite making only 2-of-17 from beyond the arc.

Kadeem Batts led the way for Providence with 24 points and Cotton added 11. The Friars climbed to 12-11 for the season and are 4-7 in the Big East Conference.

Cincinnati (18-5, 6-4) received 13 points from Sean Kirkpatrick and 12 from JaQuon Parker.