COL BKB: Providence 75, Charlotte 66

• Tweet

PROVIDENCE, R.I., March 20 (UPI) -- Bryce Cotton led Providence during a second-half rally Wednesday that boosted the Friars to a 75-66 NIT win over Charlotte.

Providence overcame a seven-point deficit early in the second period to set up a second-round meeting with Robert Morris, which shocked 2012 NCAA champion Kentucky 59-57 Tuesday.

Cotton scored 25 points, hitting four 3-pointers and going 7-of-8 from the foul line. Vincent Council added 16 points for Providence (19-14), which failed to reach the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament after losing to Cincinnati.

Charlotte (21-13) dropped a quarterfinal encounter to eventual champion St. Louis in the Atlantic 10 Tournament.

The 49ers were led by Victor Nickerson with 14 points.